LAHORE, July 29: MMA leader Liaquat Baloch says the ruling coalition is confused because of the situation and whatever it is doing at present is tarnishing the image of the army.

He told reporters here on Saturday that Gen Musharraf was obstructing the political and democratic process and bringing a bad name to the army for his power lust.

Referring to the resignations by MQM ministers, the MMA leader alleged it was nothing but blackmailing.

Mr Baloch said the Chief Election Commissioner had recently said in clear terms that the president could not involve himself in political activities. But, he regretted, the president was not following the CEC’s instructions.

He said at a time when the army was dominating politics and the system was corrupt to the core, free and fair elections could not be expected.

About cooperation between the MMA and the ARD, Mr Baloch said both the alliances would jointly table a no-confidence motion against the prime minister. He hoped that the motion would be tabled by August 14.

He said the ruling party did not trust its legislators and it was for this reason that it was thinking of keeping them away from the session on the day of voting.

According to him, the two alliances could hold joint programmes at all provincial capitals.

The MMA, he said, was scheduled to hold a public meeting at Minar-i-Pakistan on August 14, after which another such meeting would be held in Rawalpindi on September 6.

He said leaders of the MMA, the ARD and other opposition parties would hold talks to form a grand alliance.