January 05, 2008	Saturday	Zilhaj 25, 1428

KHAIRPUR, Jan 4: Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) candidates, Syed Javed Shah Jilani (NA-215) and Zafar Iqbal Bilal (PS-29), have called upon the government and the Election Commission to postpone the general elections for six months.

Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, they said the people were in a state of shock over the assassination of PPP chairperson Ms Benazir Bhutto and they would not cast their vote on February 18.

They expressed concern over the poor law and orders situation in Khairpur city.

They vowed they were ready to give a tough time to PPP candidates in elections.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan People’s Party candidate for NA-215, Nawab Khan Wassan, and the former district nazim of Khairpur, Nafisa Shah, had said that it was their duty now to take forward Ms Benazir Bhutto’s mission for the restoration of democracy in the country.

They were speaking at a condolence meeting jointly held by Ara machine owners, carpenters, wood traders, labourers and shopkeepers at Shah Latif colony here on Friday.

They appealed to the people to pay tribute to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto by casting their vote in favour of her party so the democracy could be restored in the country.

Labour leaders Amjad Lashari, comrade Shahbaz Dino, comrade Takkar Shaikh, Ara machine owners, carpenters, wood traders, labourers and others attended the meeting.

BAIL GRANTED: ATC judge Iqbal Ahmed Khwaja has granted interim pre-arrest bail on Friday to some 100 people booked at various police stations of Khairpur and Naushahro Feroze districts under the Anti-Terrorist Act.

District Bar Association Khairpur and Naushahro Feroze lawyers represented them in the court.