KARACHI, Nov 24: The National Party has decided to boycott the general election in view of the All Parties Democratic Alliance’s (APDM) announcement to the same effect

Candidates were directed not to file their nomination papers at a meeting of the party’s senior leaders and cabinet members held in the city on Saturday. Senior vice-president Sanaullah Zehri chaired the meeting, which discussed issues pertaining to the polls scheduled for Jan 8, the situation in Balochistan and other crises confronting the country.

Talking to Dawn, NP spokesman and senior leader Jan Mohammad Buledi said the party had endorsed the APDM decision to boycott the polls.

“The NP considers the APDM decision as timely and wise,” Mr Buledi said, adding that the “boycott weapon” might prove to be effective against dictatorship and autocracy.

He said there was no other option but to boycott the election under the prevailing conditions where a ‘martial law’ and emergency had been imposed, fundamental rights usurped and honest judges removed in the country.

Describing the caretaker government as biased, he alleged that a ‘master plan’ had been prepared to rig the election.

He said the on-going military operation had worsened the situation in Balochistan and was now taking a critical turn after the assassination of Baloch nationalist leader Balach Marri.

He said that thousands of Baloch people had been put behind bars and were being tortured, adding that many others had disappeared. He condemned the government’s policy towards the Baloch people.

“Under the present circumstances, free and fair elections are not possible,” he said. He called upon all parties to boycott the polls.

Secretary-general Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Rahim Bakhsh Jafery, Senator Dr Abdul Malik, Tahir Bizenjo, Mullah Bakhsh, Fidha Dashti, Rajab Ali, Abdul Wahid, Abdul Ghani Rind, Abdul Wahid and Usman Kohi Baloch were present in the meeting.