LAHORE, Dec 27: Alliance for Restoration of Democracy President Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan has said that the ARD would fight the battle for democracy both inside and outside the assemblies.

Speaking at a meeting held at the Lahore Press Club here on Friday evening to pay homage to late Khwaja Rafiq Shaheed, the Nawabzada said that the ARD was fighting for the supremacy of the constitution and political and moral values. Its differences with Gen Mushharaf were based on principles.

He said the general had insulted the people by hanging the sword of Article 58 2B on their elected assemblies and had given the armed forces a constitutional role in the government by constituting the National Security Council.

He said Gen Musharraf had concentrated all powers in his own hands like his predecessors Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and Ziaul Haq and given himself indefinite extension in service whereas he could not even participate in politics for two years after retirement. His election as president through referendum was also unconstitutional.

He said that the general had made a mockery of the accountability drive by appointing Dr Ishratul Ibad as Sindh Governor despite the fact his party did not accept the 1973 constitution and he (Ibad) himself was wanted in murder cases only because the federal and Sindh governments could collapse in case the 17 MNAs and 41 MPAs of the Mutthida Qaumi Movement withdrew their support. He had also given six federal ministries to six PPPP defectors. His accountability was now meant only for victimizing his opponents.

He said the FBI was interfering in the internal affairs of Pakistan by arresting the doctors and the government was a silent spectator. He said the Election Commission and the judiciary required to be liberated from the bureaucratic control to restore their independence. Similarly, the Public Service Commission and National Accountability Bureau chairmen required to be selected by the parliament through consensus of all the members, including those belonging to the opposition. Other speakers, including PML-N vice-president Begum Tehmina Daultana, Punjab president Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, MPA Saba Sadiq, Khawaja Sa’ad Rafiq, Nasir Bhutta, Dr Asad Ashraf and Mian Javed said that the generals would continue to usurp power until and unless they were not punished for their crime in accordance with the constitutional provisions.

They said that being a practising Muslim seemed to have become a crime in the country whereas proclaimed offenders were being given important offices.

Resolutions condemning the arrest of Dr Ahmed Javed Khawaja and demanding his release, growing human rights violations in the country and interference in the internal affairs of the country by the FBI were adopted unanimously at the meeting.