RAWALPINDI, Sept 5: The All Parties Minority Alliance (Apma) on Friday extended its support to presidential frontrunner Asif Ali Zardari, saying that the minority members in the national and provincial assemblies would vote for Mr Zardari. Chairman Apma and MNA Shahbaz Bhatti in a statement issued here said that the democratic forces would win in the presidential elections that would be a blow to the “remnants of Musharraf regime and friends of dictators”.

“We congratulate Mr Zardari in advance for becoming democratically elected civilian president of the country. He is a symbol of federation and a symbol of religious harmony and is trusted by the minorities,” Mr Bhatti said.

The APMA chairman said that minorities across the country wanted religious harmony and peace, adding that Mr Zardari had proved himself to be an advocate of peace when he advised the nation to remain calm after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

“By uttering the slogan of Pakistan Khape (we want Pakistan), Mr Zardari proved that he was a true patriot,” Mr Bhatti added.

He said election of Mr Zardai to the office of president would strengthen the federation and unity of the country.