PESHAWAR, Oct 10: The Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians has denied having reached any backdoor deal with the government and vowed not to compromise on the question of restoration of democracy, rule of law and sovereignty of the country.

Speaking at the Guest’s Hour programme of Peshawar Press Club, PPP provincial chief Rahimdad Khan said his party had a long history of struggle and it knew how Pakistan could be freed from the clutches of dictatorship. He said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal should review its stand about the present regime.

He said the rulers would not return to their barracks unless all political parties united on one platform and launched a joint struggle. He said it would be unwise to think that mere resignations from the assemblies would force Gen Musharraf and his colleagues to end their effort to change the political system and go home quietly.

Mr Khan advised the MMA leadership to come out of the Balochistan coalition, which was responsible for the assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti and prevailing anarchy in the province.

He said the MMA was relishing power in two provinces and enjoying opposition’s role at the centre, how it could justify its double role in the politics.

About Hudood Bill, he said PPP had been opposed to the draconian laws framed by the Zia regime to depoliticise the country and prolong its dictatorial rule. He said Islam was the basic pillar of PPP manifesto, which taught the community of creation of an egalitarian society, but PPP had been opposed to the political brand of religion based on segregation.

He said PPP had its own stand on the Women Protection Bill and it could lend support to the zealots. He hoped that the MMA would not touch the controversial issues in their democratic struggle against the military rulers.