LAHORE, Oct 6: Millat Party President Farooq Leghari on Monday tried to block Sindh Democratic Alliance’s planned merger with the PML-Q, saying the SDA leaders had contested the election on the National Alliance’s ticket and those joining the ruling party would lose their assembly seats.

The SDA has already decided in principle to merge with the PML-Q and a formal announcement in this regard would be made on the return home of Prime Minister Jamali.

The Millat Party is a constituent of the National Alliance and a coalition partner with the PML-Q.

Addressing an extraordinary meeting of Millat Party’s National Council here, Mr Leghari praised Gen Musharraf for his action against former prime ministers whom he labelled as looters.

According to him, the economy was not being handled properly despite Gen Musharraf’s desire. As a result, he said, lawlessness, poverty and unemployment were on the rise.

Justifying his rather critical views, Leghari said being a coalition partner did not mean that the government should not be offered a sincere advice.

He said his party was opposed to the US occupation of Iraq. He said the US had invaded Iraq in a flagrant violation of the UN charter, but hastened to add that his party was not oblivious of the oppression perpetrated by ousted president Saddam Hussein.

Calling for an effective UN role in Iraq, Leghari said US forces should be withdrawn without delay and a multinational force be deployed in the occupied country.

About plans to send Pakistani troops to Iraq, the Millat Party chief said he would like the Pakistani troops used for peacekeeping and reconstruction instead of any military role.

He said power should be transferred to Iraqi people at the earliest.

The participants adopted a resolution praising the decentralisation of powers at the district level. They said that the subjects mentioned in the concurrent list of the Constitution should be transferred to provinces.

Another resolution expressed concern over the growing lawlessness and chaos in Afghanistan. Demanding withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, the resolution said all ethnic groups should be given representation in power according to their population. It said a Loya Jirga should be convened and elections should be held as early as possible.

Yet another resolution underlined the need for more reservoirs.