BAHAWALPUR, Oct 27: Opposition parties have failed to set up an alliance against President Gen Pervez Musharraf, says Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Saad Rafique.

At a press conference at the residence of PML district president Chaudhry Mumtaz Ahmad Jajja here on Saturday, Mr Saad regretted that opposition parties were not sincere in their struggle against Gen Musharraf’s dictatorship and hence could not form the grand alliance as had been envisaged by PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif.

He said this was all because of the double standards of the Pakistan People’s Party, which, according to him, had disappointed all the opposition parties.

He criticised the role of All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM), and said this alliance was also unable to forge resistance against the dictatorship. However, he added, that efforts were still on to achieve the APDM’s objectives.

He said the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) no more existed as

PPP had disappointed its component parties.

Mr Saad demanded stopping army operations in Waziristan and said that the federation’s existence was at stake.

He said PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto was part of the agenda of imperial forces, which were being supported by President Musharraf.

He said Saturday’s meeting of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and ruling PML President Shujaat Husain with PML-Functional Chief Pir Sahib of Pagaro Sharif in Karachi was indeed part of their intrigue against the masses.

WALK: A walk was held here on Saturday to express solidarity with Kashmiri people and condemn the human rights violation being committed by Indian troops in the held Kashmir.

The walk organised by government and non-government organisation was held from Farid Gate to Bahawal Victoria Hospital. Participants were carrying placards inscribed with slogans against Indian army and the government.

At the end, speakers demanded the implementation of the United Nations resolutions on Kashmir.