PESHAWAR, Oct 20: Awami National Party senior vice-president Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour has condemned the killing of over 100 people in the two blasts in the welcoming procession of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto in Karachi and termed it an attack on political process in the country.

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, Mr Bilour claimed that the Karachi carnage was the result of a well-planned conspiracy to restrain political parties from organising public meetings.

Mr Bilour said ANP shared the pain and grief of the families of all those people who were killed and injured in the tragic event. He termed it a great tragedy in the political history of Pakistan.

The ANP leader criticised military rulers and held them responsible for the tragedy. He said genuine political forces would continue their struggle against anti-democratic agenda. He said no one would be allowed to disturb the election process.

He said: “We will organise election rallies and take out processions to mobilise the people against the dictatorship.”

Mr Bilour said political parties were waiting for the announcement of the election schedule, adding that rulers could not postpone the general elections on the pretext of terrorist activities.

He denied the suggestion that the ANP being a liberal democratic force was facing any threat from religious militants.

ANP deputy secretary-general Haji Mohammad Adeel, provincial president Afrasiab Khattak and information secretary Zahid Khan were present on the occasion.

PPI adds: Mr Bilour urged the PPP chairperson to expose the names of those people whom she accused of involving in the attacks.

On the occasion, prayer was offered for those killed in the blasts and for the early recovery of the injured. A one-minute silence was also observed to express sympathy with the affected families.

In reply to a question, Mr Bilour said that the government should resign if it cannot maintain the law and order.

He called for a thorough investigation into the tragic incidents that took place on Oct 18 as well as on May 12. Had there been an inquiry into the May 12 incident, the carnage on Oct 18 might not have happened, he remarked.

He said the ANP would not support a government-sponsored APC, rather it would suggest all the political parties to find a permanent solution to the issues of extremism and terrorism.