KARACHI, Sept 12: Pakistan Awami Tehrik Chairman Dr Mohammad Tahirul Qadri on Thursday expressed his disenchantment regarding inability of political parties to forge unity for the cause of democracy.

Talking to newsmen before leaving for Lahore, he said his party would seriously contemplate any proposal to join the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD).

“Any decision taken would be in larger national interest with particular intention to restoring democracy and preventing centralisation of power,” he said.

Earlier, speaking at election rallies in the city, Dr Qadri termed the polls an opportunity for the countrymen to seek a meaningful change in the system.

He said the PAT, if given an opportunity, would ensure that homeless dwellers of slums in Karachi were provided residence free of cost and that the areas were developed.

Speaking at a meeting at Orangi Town, Sector 15, he regretted that Karachiites faced shortage of potable water.

Speaking at the campaign rally of his party’s candidates, Hasan Mandra contesting from PA-108 and Zahid Rajput for PS-109, Dr Qadri promised the PAT would provide initial units of electricity free of any charge to all people. He said his party , if successful, would issue “income cards” to deserving people, through which they could procure flour, ghee, sugar, lentils and cloth at subsidised rates.

He said education up to the university level would be made free and a network of schools would be established offering education in double shifts. “Some 1.6 million teachers would be recruited for these schools opening massive employment opportunities,” he said.—APP