HYDERABAD, Aug 20: Former federal minister for railways and PPP leader from Dadu, Mr Zafar Ali Laghari, has appealed to President Gen Pervez Musharraf to order deployment of the army at polling stations to ensure fair and impartial local body elections on Aug 25.

He was speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Saturday.

He said the second phase of the local body polls be held under direct supervision of the army and Rangers as police was absolutely helpless in ensuring transparency of the election.

He said that he was making direct appeal to the president because all other doors of justice have been closed.

He said the districts have been converted into mini states which were being ruled by “princes”.

The former minister said irrespective of party affiliation, he was never hesitant in paying compliments to leaders like the former chief minister of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, who had served the people of his province to best of his abilities.

He said that President Pervez Musharraf had also performed many a good deed but unfortunately his princes through their tyranny have brought discredit to him.

In an oblique reference to the federal minister for water and power, Mr Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Zafar Leghari said “the prince of Dadu” and his henchmen had unleashed a reign of terror in the district.

He said police become maidservant of the prince of Dadu and the people were so frightened that they had confined themselves to their homes.

He levelled serious allegations of corrupt practices against the federal minister without naming him.

He said under these circumstances, holding of elections under supervision of police would be a cruel joke with the people.

He appealed to the president to hold the second phase of local body elections under direct supervision of army and Rangers.