ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: The Awami National Party (ANP) on Friday announced to join the combined opposition in its move against the army dictatorship and for the cause of restoration of democracy, supremacy of parliament, independent election commission and judiciary.

Speaking at a news conference along with ARD chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim at the chamber of the leader of the opposition in Senate, ANP president Senator Asfandyar Wali Khan said: “From today we will be part of the struggle of the combined opposition and what ever decision it takes for the restoration of democracy, parliament’s supremacy and end of the army rule in the country we will follow it.”

Replying to a query about chances of his party’s formally joining the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), Mr Wali said: “Right now we are concentrating on a joint campaign against the government but ultimately we may formally be part of the ARD.”

Mr Fahim said that very soon they would give the rulers a surprise by coming out of parliament in the practical struggle to oust the generals from power for ever.

“It is a historic day when the ANP, which has a past of struggle for democracy, formally joins the combined opposition and we will together achieve the goal of restoration of democracy,” he added.

He said the opposition had already set up a committee to draft charge-sheet and no-trust motion against the prime minister which would come out on Aug 23.

Earlier, leader of the Opposition in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani said that a general debate on the dubious sale of the Pakistan Steel Mills had been started in the National Assembly on Friday and it would begin in the Senate on Monday.