MARDAN, Dec 6: A meeting of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) was held here at the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-N Secretary General Saranjam Khan, which was attended by a number of political leaders.

Chairman of the ARD, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, while briefing local newsmen, said that the ARD demanded that the government must restore the 1973 Constitution and give the political parties the right to rule through genuine and uninterrupted elections.

He said that General Pervez Musharraf had promised that after the elections power would be handed over to a people's representatives, but now he was backing out of his promises. Mr Fahim said that the ARD was in contact with the ANP and the Tehrik-i-Insaf to join the alliance.

The ARD chairman dispelled an impression that political parties had had any contact with President Gen Pervez Musharraf. Social contacts, however, could have been made, but political contacts were out of question, he said.

Some resolutions were also adopted on the occasion, demanding that genuine be democracy restored in the country. The alliance, while welcoming the release of Asif Ali Zardari, condemned those elements who had termed the release of the Pakistan People's Party leader as a result of a deal between the PPP and the government.

The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy also expressed its concern over what it called bankruptcy of the economy and the increase in the rate of unemployment in the country.

The alliance demanded release of Javed Hashmi, Afaq Ahmed, Yousuf Raza Gillani and other jailed politicians. It condemned the signing of the dual-office bill by acting president Mohammadmian Soomro.