LAHORE, Aug 23: PPP Punjab President Qasim Zia said on Friday that his party would not succumb to tactics employed by the present government for patronizing certain political factions.

While talking to pressmen after submitting his nomination papers, Qasim said the constitutional amendments made by the present government were a ploy to strengthen the military grip on state affairs. He alleged that President Musharaf was patronizing opportunists but the PPP would not leave the ground open for such a foul play. He said this as the reason his party had decided to participate in the elections despite having strong reservations about the impartiality of election machinery holding the elections.

Responding to a query, Mr Qasim said he had opted for provincial seat for October polls as part of a party consensus and he would abide by the party discipline in this regard. Later, MMA leader Liaquat Baloch while talking to pressmen said that the Legal Framework Order was not acceptable to any of the coalition party of the MMA. He said that by virtue of such order all powers had got concentrated in the hands of President Musharraf which could lead to absolute autocracy in the country. Mr Baloch said that the parties having good political reputation could be invited by the MMA for the adjustment of seats both in provinces and centre.

Former Lahore Deputy Nazim Farooq Amjad Mir also present on the occasion said that he had no differences with the Lahore Nazim and it was his own decision to go for general elections. He claimed that he could serve the people better after being elected as an MNA since the National Assembly was a much bigger platform as compared to the district government setup.