HYDERABAD, Nov 12: The Tando Allahyar Police, on Monday registered a case against the PPP activists under section 341, 147, 149 and 188 PPC for holding a rally on Sunday against the imposition of emergency. The nominated accused included Faraz Baloch, Rashid, Mashooq Ali, Niaz Chandio and Younus Manganhar, who were arrested on the spot. Some other activists have been shown as absconders.

STP: Acting Chairman, Sindh Taraqi Passand Party Dr Abdul Hameed Memon has said general elections under the umbrella of emergency will be just a farce and added that those parties which believed in true democracy will continue struggle for the independence of judiciary and media and restoration of constitution and fundamental human rights.

In a statement faxed to Dawn here on Monday, he said under pressure from international community and protests within the country, General Musharraf was forced to announce the date of elections but his refusal to lift emergency was based on mala fide intention.

He said General Musharraf’s criticism of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Mohammad Choudhry and other judges speaks volumes about his repressive rule. He pointed out that democracy was not the name of elections but of supremacy of parliament, independence of judiciary and press and civil liberties.

He said people could not be hoodwinked by announcing the date of elections. He appealed to all the democratic forces to continue their struggle against the emergency and for the restoration of true democracy, independence of judiciary and media and civil liberties.

JUP: Senior vice president Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan and a central leader of MMA, Sahibzada Dr Abul Khair Muhammad Zubair said fair, free and transparent elections under the umbrella of emergency and in presence of General Pervez Musharraf will be simply wishful thinking.