KARACHI, July 17: Secretary-General of Pakistan People’s Party, Sindh chapter, Nafees Siddiqui, said on Monday that the Charter of Democracy hammered out between the PPP and PML (N) and supported by other ARD components was the minimum compromise agenda acceptable to democratic and liberal forces.

He was delivering presidential address on “Why character-assassination of Benazir Bhutto” organized by the Pakistan People’s Party Para-medical Board, at a local hotel.

Mr Siddiqui said the PPP cherished the 1973 constitution but it had deliberately agreed to its restoration as it was before the Oct 12 military takeover because it was against opening a Pandora’s Box.

“We want to sacrifice smaller issues for the sake of larger interest of pro-democratic forces.”

He termed the charter a “comprehensive document” and called upon the people at large to join the caravan of democracy and be counted when the chips are down.

He described the Balochistan situation very explosive and said arrest of Baloch leaders was proving counter-productive.

He emphasized that rights of smaller provinces, including Balochistan, must be respected and the policy of suppressing their rights and usurping their resources must come to an end because use of force would not lead to any solution.