RAHIM YAR KHAN/BAHA-WALPUR, Dec 24: Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto has asked the Election Commission to hold elections under the army’s supervision and suspend local governments.

Addressing public meetings in Rahim Yar Khan and in Bahawalpur on Monday, she said the commission should set up polling stations in schools and government buildings and not in improvised tents. She also urged the EC to restrict the appointment of volunteers at polling booths.

Ms Bhutto alleged that Pakistan Muslim League-Q, sensing defeat, was using unfair means and state resources in its election campaign.

The PPP leader criticised the PML-Q, its policies and the eight-year performance of the Musharraf rule. She held out assurance to solve problems of southern Punjab if voted to power.

Criticising army’s role in politics, she said an army dictator had given the gift of heroin and Kalashnikov to the nation while another general (Musharraf) created terrorism and suicide bombers.

Ms Bhutto claimed that foreign pre-poll surveys had predicted her party’s victory with the PML-N getting second position. The PML-Q, she said, would be confined to Gujrat.

She warned that any weakening of Pakistan would weaken the entire Islamic world. She underlined the need to strengthen the country.

She said that after returning to power the PPP would give Cholistan land to natives and extend interest-free loans to farmers. She also promised a special job quota in government departments for people of the Seraiki belt.

Ms Bhutto said the PPP would formulate an effective policy to combat terrorism.

She said that Musharraf’s rule had increased unemployment, besides widening the gap between the rich and the poor.

She announced that after coming to power, the ‘economic slaughter’ of workers in the name of privatisation would be ended.