December 14, 2007	Friday	Zilhaj 3, 1428

MARDAN, Dec 13: All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) convener Mehmood Khan Achakzai said on Thursday that military rulers had exiled former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, yet the two had forgotten the humiliation and were taking part in the elections.

Addressing the District Bar Association here, he expressed the hope that the lawyers’ struggle would achieve its objective.

He said the democracy-loving people should stand with the lawyers for the independence of judiciary and supremacy of the Constitution and parliament.

He said that about 26 political and religious parties in the APDM would hold a consultative meeting on Dec 18 to decide its future strategy.

Mr Achakzai said that supremacy of parliament, independence of judiciary and freedom of expression was not possible under the military rule, adding that this regrettable state of affair would harm the integrity of the country.

He said the APDM was not against the armed forces or other military institutions but “we want that all institutions should work in accordance with law”.

He said they had never lobbied for breaking the federation but warned that depriving various communities of their rights was harming the integrity of the country.

He appealed to the people to boycott the election calling it as unconstitutional and illegal.