November 10, 2007	Saturday	Shawwal 28, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Nov 9: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has called for convening an all parties conference (APC) to set the ground rules for holding free and fair elections.

Mr Khan, in a statement, said the APC constituted with clear terms of reference (TORs) should decide on issues such as appointment of interim prime minister, federal cabinet, provincial chief ministers, governors and cabinets, and a chief election commissioner.

The APC should also decide on suspension of local government 45 days before elections and a draft ordinance to empower the election commission.

The PTI chief said the political uncertainty gripping the country was providing an opportunity to adversaries to declare Pakistan a failed state, justifying action in line with their strategic objective of neutralising our nuclear assets.

Expressing concern over fast deteriorating political and security situation, Mr Khan said Gen Musharraf was in a denial mode. “He should see the writing on the wall that even his closest allies considered him a liability rather than an asset,” he added.

The cricketer-turned politician said that attempts were being made by political opportunists to hijack the democratic movement for power sharing gains.

Mr Khan stressed that people would reject any power sharing arrangement by domestic and international power brokers made at cost of the sacrifices made by lawyers, journalists, political workers, and civil society members who demanded democracy.