KARACHI, Aug 5: The Sindh chapter of the Pakistan Peoples Party has called an all-party conference of the democratic forces on Aug 13 to deliberate on the regime’s alleged pre-poll rigging and victimization of opposition activists.

This was announced by provincial president of the party, Syed Qaim Ali Shah at a news conference at Bilawal House. Also present on occasion were provincial secretary general Nafees Siddiqui, CEC members Aftab Shaaban Mirani, Pir Aftab Shah Jilani, Dr Fahmida Mirza, Waqar Mehdi, Rashid Rabbani, Fida Mirani and others.

Mr Shah alleged that despite various complaints, the Election Commission has not succeeded in forcing the government to desist from politics of victimization, kidnappings and deceit.

He said the decision to hold APC on Aug 13 was taken during the meeting of Sindh Executive Council of PPP-P, held today at Bilawal House.

He said the invitation would be extended to all political and religious parties outside the government, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Karachi Bar Association, High Court Bar Association, intellectuals, teachers and other segments of the society.

Mr Shah said not a single district in Sindh was safe from “aggressive and provocative actions” of the provincial government where opposition candidates were not abducted or harassed by the government functionaries.

Qaim Ali Shah alleged that the provincial chief minister was conducting election campaign of Pakistan Muslim League(Q) backed candidates in Sindh contesting local bodies elections claiming at every forum that PML has entered an electoral alliance with PML Functional, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and other allies.

Me Shah was of the view it was a violation of the EC code of conduct. He claimed that transfer and postings of government officials was continuing for alleged manipulation of election results and in this regard he cited many alleged violations.

Mr Shah reiterated PPP’s concern over Election Commission’s inability in establishing its writ and alleged the government had broken all records of rigging, kidnapping and victimization of the party supported candidates in the Local Bodies elections along with their proposers and seconders.

He also expressed PPP’s serious concern over discrepancy in the electoral list and demanded that the Election Commission should take a categorical step to prevent the government from denying many people to contest or vote in the LB elections.

The existence of two lists and exercise of discretion by the ROs to the advantage of the ruling party proxies was a serious manipulation and mode of pre-poll rigging, he said.