February 14, 2008	Thursday	Safar 06, 1429

HYDERABAD, Feb 13: The Sindh chapter of the All-Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) on Wednesday demanded appointment of Justice (Retd) Rana Bhagwandas as the chairman of the Election Commission to ensure the elections were held in a free and fair manner.

The alliance leaders Michael Javed, Saleem Khursheed Khokhar, M. Parkash advocate and Riaz Nazir said at a news conference at the press club that the alliance as well as all the other minority organisations had decided to vote for PPP on Feb 18, in recognition of the services rendered by late prime minister Benazir Bhutto for minorities.

They urged the government to curb pre-poll rigging and transfers and postings of officials before elections in the larger interest of the country, and demanded release of arrested workers and withdrawal of ‘false cases’ registered against thousands of political activists especially PPP workers.

They appealed to minorities of Hyderabad, especially Hindu and Christian communities, to vote for PPP candidates in general elections in their own interest as well as to help eliminate poverty, hunger and ignorance from the country.

They condemned the assassination of Ms Benazir Bhutto and demanded that the investigation of the case should be handed over to the United Nations and hidden hands behind this dastardly crime should be exposed.

They condemned the kidnappings of Hindu members in Sindh and Balochistan and demanded that the caretaker governments should fulfil their responsibility and order recovery of the kidnappees.

The leaders deplored alleged excesses against Christians and minority employees of local bodies and demanded an end to victimisation of minorities.

They demanded deployment of the personnel of army and Rangers in all the minorities areas to enable them to cast their votes without any fear.

The president should increase number of seats in assemblies for the minorities proportionate to the increase in their population, they urged.

They suggested that the minorities seats in the national assembly should be raised to 30 in Punjab assembly, 20 in Sindh and 10 each in NWFP and Balochistan assemblies.