KARACHI, Aug 7: The Pakistan People's Party said here on Saturday that although the government was tailoring rules and regulations in favour of Mr Shaukat Aziz, the PPP and its allied parties in the ARD , despite alleged manipulations, would not boycott the byelections.

This was stated by PPP's deputy secretary-general and its parliamentary leader in the Senate, Mian Raza Rabbani, at a news conference at Bilawal House.

Mr Raza Rabbani released the contents of various letters his party members had written to the chief election commissioner.

He said that PPP leaders and supporters were being victimized, and alleged that the Rangers, with the help of local administration, trespassed the lands of Nawab Yousuf Talpur MNA, who was presently engaged in the election campaign of the PPPP candidate in NA-229 Tharparkar and by using force closed the water channels that are irrigating his lands.

He said that an FIR had been registered but despite that the state apparatus was being used to pressure the opposition.

He also cited a letter addressed to the CEC by Senator Rukhsana Zuberi, and said that Hamir Singh, son of Rana Chandar Singh, had allegedly asked his supporters to prepare a list of those people who supported the PPPP candidate to sort them out after the byelections.

She also alleged that Pir Aftab Shah Jilani, MNA; Nawab Yusuf Talpur MNA and Mir Hayat Talpur, all campaigning for the PPPP candidate, Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, were being subjected to pressure and harassment.

Ms Fauzia Wahab, MNA, in a letter maintained that the report about the distribution of cheques to flood victims by the chief minister after more than a year and during the election campaign was aimed at manipulating the verdict and showed the real intentions of the government.

Such actions purported to be taken in the official capacity indicated the opposition's position that the deletion of Section 9 of the Political Parties Order 2004 was done with mala fide intent.

Mian Raza Rabbani claimed that such manipulation of laws would have a material effect on byelections being held on Aug 18 in NA-59 Attock and NA-229 Tharparkar.

In this context, he cited a notification issued by the Election Commission (No.F.2(1)/2002-Cord), in exercise of powers conferred under Article 218 of the Constitution, Article 6 of the Election Commission Order-2002.