LAHORE, Nov 20: Istaqlal Party chief Manzoor Gilani has demanded elections afresh saying the present parliament has become redundant.

The Istaqlal Party is one of the components of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD).

Speaking at an Iftar party here on Thursday, he argued that parliament had completed its first year but the president could not address its joint session as required under the constitution.

“All the three — president Gen Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Jamali and parliament — must go for violating the constitution,” he asserted.

He demanded that an interim government of national consensus should be formed to hold fresh election.

He suggested that the ARD constituents should form an election alliance to give a better result. He said he would put the proposal before next summit meeting of the alliance.

Mr Gilani said arrangements were being made to properly celebrate foundation day of the ARD on December 3, while reorganization of the alliance was also underway. He also announced nomination of Zulfiqar Qureshi and A. D. Nasim as central vice-president and joint secretary of his party. —Staff Reporter