MITHI, Aug 6: Leaders of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy have appealed to the people of Thar to vote for the ARD candidate, Dr Mahesh Malani, on Aug 18 by-election.

Speaking at a public gathering organized here on Thursday in connection with the campaign for Mr Malani, they said the alliance would continue its struggle for democracy in the country.

They said the ARD's candidate would emerge victorious against Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz in the Aug 18 by-election. The president of the People's Party Parliamentarians, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, said anti-democratic forces had damaged democracy in the country.

He said it would be an appropriate step if rupees two and half billion, allocated for the security of President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, were spent on the welfare of masses.

The Makhdoom, who is also Murshid (the spiritual leader) of the Sarwari Jamaat, appealed to his disciples and the people to vote for Mr Malani. PPP Sindh president Nisar Khuhro claimed PPP gave much importance to its activists hence Dr Malani was awarded ticket against Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz.

He said poverty, unemployment, suicides and the shortage of water had attained alarming proportions owing to Shaukat Aziz's policies. Prof N.D. Khan said Shaukat Aziz had no political background but he was going to be a prime minister which was against all political norms and rules.

Rashid Rabbani said Shaukat Aziz sacked thousands of people from jobs while following the agenda of the IMF. Mr Rabbani said the people of Thar were deprived of basic amenities but successive governments had done nothing significant to ameliorate their living standard.

He said the ARD's candidate would be successful in the by- election on Aug 18. Qaim Ali shah said this was a contest between a worker and a rich man. He said feudal lords had considered the people of Thar as goats and sheep.

Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, Asadullah Bhutto, Dr Mumtaz Memon,Nawab Yousuf Talpur, Pir Aftab Shah, Bisharat Mirza, Sassui Palijo, Dr Mahesh Malani, Ali Mardan Shah, Eng Giyanchand Esrani and Mir Munawar Talpur also spoke on the occasion.