ISLAMABAD, Dec 13: Two petitions were filed in the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday seeking implementation of Land Reforms Act 1977 as well as ban on election campaign 90 days before the polls.

Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club on Tuesday, Senator Hasil Bizenjo said he along with other like-minded politicians filed these petitions through Advocate Abid Hassan Minto.

Workers Party Pakistan General Secretary Akhtar Husain, leader of Pakistan Workers Federation Khurshid Ahmed and Prof Osama Siddique of Lahore University of Management Sciences (Lums) were also present on the occasion.

Mr Bizenjo said the elite class would continue to dominate democracy in the country if land reforms were not implemented in letter and spirit. He said election campaign finance reforms should also be implemented to ensure participation of every person in politics. He said free and fair election in the prevailing circumstances was next to impossible. He said articles 17 and 51 of the Constitution guarantee the right of each Pakistani to participate in the electoral process.

He further said that India and Iran implemented land reforms but unfortunately it could not be carried out in Pakistan. He said in the past, Federal Shariat Court and then Supreme Court appellate bench declared that land reforms were against Islamic laws. However, he said that now he along with other like-minded politicians had decided to launch a movement against it because Islam believed in equal rights.

Speaking on the occasion, Akhtar Hussain said if their demands were materialised, everyone would get a chance to contest elections. Prof Osama Siddique of Lums said after land reforms, it would be easier for the government to maintain peace in the country.— A Reporter