KARACHI, Aug 29: The secretary-general of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s Sindh chapter, Nafees Siddiqi, on Wednesday accused former prime minister Nawaz Sharif of betraying the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) by going along with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) and deciding to form the All Parties Democratic Alliance (APDM).

Speaking at a news conference held at his residence, Mr Siddiqui reiterated the party line that the PPP would compel General Pervez Musharraf to give up his military post and said that since the PML(N) chief had taken the decision in favour of the APDM, he would be responsible for any political fallout. He also accused Mr Sharif of siding with the MMA, which, he said, supported the 17th amendment that perpetuated military rule in the country.

Mr Siddiqui said that there would be no compromise on principles and the London dialogue was aimed at the restoration of peace and democracy. “The PPP is engaged in a dialogue through a series of direct and indirect contacts with all political groups, including the regime, for a peaceful transition to democracy,” he stated. “The party is very clear that such a transition is possible only through fair and free elections, held under a caretaker government of national consensus in which all the participants are given a level playing field.”

Reaffirming the PPP’s commitment to the Charter of Democracy signed with the PML(N) earlier this year, Mr Siddiqui said that “we are not asking the PM’s slot for ourselves, we will earn that through vote of the people.”

According to the provincial secretary-general of the PPP, the party opposes the sweeping powers enjoyed by the president under Article 58(2) (b) of the constitution. “The PPP is striving for the restoration of power to the parliament and a balance among vital state institutions with checks and balances brought slowly back into a system where the executive has become all-powerful,” he said.

He presented the view that legitimacy could only accrue from the power of public consent, ascertained through an electoral exercise. When asked where the people of Pakistan figure in a situation where representatives of General Musharraf and Ms Bhutto work out a power-sharing formula before any elections, Mr Siddiqui dispelled the impression that the package under discussion would ensure, amongst other things, premiership for a third time.