KARACHI, Sept 20: An all-parties conference (APC) on Tuesday called for an end to the army’s role in politics and asked it to go back to barracks to pave the way for a durable democratic order.

The demand was made in one of the resolutions adopted by the APC held under the auspices of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf. PTI chief Imran Khan presided over the APC attended by a dozen political and religious parties and groups.

The APC called upon Gen Pervez Musharraf to give up power forthwith and allow leaders of popular parties to return home and take part in politics.

Through another resolution, the conference urged the government to stop ‘blackmailing’ in the name of the Kalabagh dam. It demanded plans for such water projects which were acceptable to all provinces so that construction could start without delay in order to overcome water shortage.

The APC alleged that the local government polls were rigged under the patronage of the president and prime minister. It said that by blocking the democratic way to bring about a change in the country, the government had tried to create a sense of dismay and insensitivity among people so that they became unconcerned with the affairs of the country. The APC said such acts deserved condemnation.

The conference demanded setting up of an independent and autonomous election commission which should consist of able, committed and honest judges from all provinces. It said that the new commission should hold free, impartial and transparent elections in the country.

The APC rejected the foreign policy and condemned the government for making contacts with Israel without taking the National Assembly into confidence. It asked Gen Musharraf to apologize from the nation for passing indecent remarks against women.

Addressing the conference, Imran Khan said the local government elections had proved that Gen Musharraf was not prepared to give up power. He alleged that Gen Musharraf had been using all means to wipe out the opposition.

“If the government goes on pursuing its present tactics then opposition parties, including the PPP and PML-N, will not be able to find suitable candidates for the 2007 general elections,” he feared. He advised opposition parties not to hold any talks with Gen Musharraf.

Sindh PPP secretary-general Nafees Siddiqui, JI leader Asadullah Bhutto, PML-N’s Mamnoon Hussain, and others also spoke.