HYDERABAD, Dec 16: The Central Committee of Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party has endorsed the decision of the APDM to boycott the general elections in protest against removal of judges of the superior judiciary and curbs on the media.

A meeting of the central committee held here on Sunday, with Dr Qadir Magsi, the party chief, termed APDM’s decision principled and democratic. It resolved to play its role from the platform of APDM for restoration of true democracy in the country. It condemned the protection given to unconstitutional acts of the ruler through an ordinance, which included removal of the judges and imposing curbs on the media and said that the country was being ruled through ‘emperor’s edicts’.

It said that it was unacceptable to all the democratic forces and conscious people. It said by getting himself elected as president of the country through the assemblies, which had already completed their tenure, was a cruel joke with the constitution, democracy and 160 million people of the country.

It said that all the powers of the assemblies had been usurped by one single individual. Under the circumstances, the January 8 general elections were nothing but a fraud to perpetuate the supremacy of the establishment, the meeting observed. It called upon the people to support the APDM and boycott bogus elections for the restoration of democracy, civil liberties, independence of judiciary and media, supremacy of parliament, provincial autonomy and rule of law and justice.

The meeting deplored the statement of Ms Benazir Bhutto about the removal of superior judiciary by the dictator in an unconstitutional manner. It said that such a statement by the leader of democratic struggle has injured the sentiments of the people, lawyers, judges and members of the civil society.

It said the STP will not only boycott the elections but will also not support any candidate of any party. It warned that any member of the party, who participated in the election campaign of any candidate, will be expelled from the party.