KARACHI, April 10: The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) have reached an agreement on a three-point agenda for the launching a ‘decisive’ movement against the government. This was revealed by Zafar Iqbal Jhagra, Secretary-General of ARD and PML-N, while speaking at a reception given in his honour by Sardar Rahim here on Sunday.

Terming the Musharraf government ‘the biggest threat to the country’s solidarity’, Mr Jhagra said masses would not accept any party striking a deal with the government. About rumours that the government was in touch with Mian Shahbaz Sharif, he clarified that all such things were part of a disinformation campaign.

“The rulers have once again brought the country on the verge of split,” he said, adding that it had become vital now to get the country rid of the military rulers in order to ensure its integrity.

He contested the government’s claim that situation in Balochistan had been brought under control, indicating that the ground reality was that people of Balochistan were still under siege and were being silenced at gunpoint.

Criticizing the government’s move to carve out several districts out of the Hyderabad district, Mr Jhagra said the move was based on ethnic, and not administrative, grounds. He deplored that ethnic intrigue was being promoted in Sindh and the historical culture of the province was being changed for the benefit of a particular group.

The ARD leader said that the country’s nuclear programme had been ‘frozen’ which appeared more dangerous than rolling it back. “Insulting our nuclear scientists is insulting the whole nation,” he remarked, saying that this attitude had been adopted under the directives of Washington.

He attributed rising graph of poverty, unemployment and lawlessness to the failure of the government’s policies, and observed that people were now finding it very difficult to earn two square meals.

In reply to a question, he repeated the policy statement of the PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif that negotiations with the present rulers were possible only after setting up of a caretaker government at the centre with the task of conducting free and fair elections in the country under an independent election commission, restoration of 1973 constitution in its original form, and restoration of the supremacy of democratic institutions.

“There is neither a president nor a parliament in the country,” he remarked, elaborating that the parliament had been held hostage by an individual.

Commenting on the reported contacts between the government and PPP, Mr Jhagra said that the PPP chief, Amin Faheem, had assured the ARD leadership that his party would not compromise on principles.

In reply to another question, he said that ARD leaders and workers would welcome Asif Zardari on his return home as a goodwill gesture.

To another question he said an ARD-MMA committee would submit its recommendations on the implementation of the three-point agenda after April 16. He said that the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf, Ponam and all other democratic forces would be taken into confidence before launching the decisive movement against the government.

Chief organizer of Sindh PML-N Mamnoon Hussain observed that Gen Musharraf’s rule appeared worst among those of Gen Ayub Khan, Gen Yahya Khan and Gen Ziaul Haq. “Gen Musharraf’s fate will not be different from the past dictators,” he predicted.

The host, Sardar Rahim, said that rulers would not be allowed to trample over the identity of the country in the name of enlightenment and moderation.