KARACHI, May 6: The Awami National Party has decided to extend unconditional support to candidates of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in the by-elections to be held in Sindh on May 12.

The by-elections are being held on four seats of the National Assembly and two seats of the Sindh Assembly. According to the Sindh ANP president, different parties contesting the by-elections have approached the ANP to seek its support for their candidates.

He said that keeping in view the record of MQM's support to the principled stand of the ANP on changing the name of the NWFP to Pakhtunkhuwa, its opposition to the construction of Kalabagh Dam and the important role played by the two parties for peace in Karachi, his party had decided to support the MQM candidates unconditionally.

He expressed the fear that some forces were once again trying to trigger off ethnic riots in the city. The ANP has directed its workers to work for the success of the MQM candidates.