LAHORE, Aug 8: The Swiss magistrate’s “biased” verdict against Benazir Bhutto and her husband would not subdue the PPP’s resolve to continue its struggle for ideals, party’s Secretary-General Jahangir Badr said after a meeting of various party organizations here on Friday.
Speaking at a news conference at his residence, Badr riterated that the PPP had not only survived many adversities, but had emerged stronger after every challenge in the past. Thus, he said, there was little possibility of the latest development having any adverse effect on the party or its leadership. “The former prime minister was and will continue to be the leader of the PPP, and all the leaders and workers express unflinching confidence in her leadership,” Badr added.
Leaders of the party’s central executive, federal council and the Punjab executive discussed the situation at length and exchanged views on the course the party should follow in the days to come.
Makhdoom Amin Faheem also participated in the meeting, but left after some time to be able to attend some meetings in the federal capital.
Asked whether the party would now think of holding talks with Gen Musharraf, Badr said, this was not part of the Friday meeting agenda.
Replying to a question, the PPP leader made it clear that the Aug 14 ARD public meeting to be held in Lahore would not mark the advent of an anti-government struggle. “We are going to celebrate the Independence Day, and our meeting has nothing to do with the struggle against government.”
He did not agree to the suggestion that the PPP should give the government more time to stay in office.
The PPP leader said his party had been steady in its struggle, which would continue without fail.
A resolution passed by the participants condemned the Swiss magistrate’s decision against Ms Bhutto and her husband. It also slated attempts to “character assassinate” the PPP leaders.
The resolution demanded that the entire correspondence between the Pakistan government, National Accountability Bureau and the Swiss magistrate should be made public.
Another resolution alleged that the government had failed to tackle problems of law and order and unemployment in the country.
The participants reaffirmed the party’s resolve not to make any compromise on the LFO or the uniform of Gen Musharraf.
The resolution demanded that power should be transferred to the elected representatives and the present rulers should go back to the barracks.
Expressing solidarity with the Okara military farms’ tenants, the participants said genuine demands (of the tenants) should be addressed immediately. They also said slum dwellers across the country be given proprietary rights.
Those who participated in the meeting included Altaf Qureshi, Naveed Chaudhry, Munawar Anjum, Abdul Qadir Shaheen, Munir Ahmad Khan, Malik Hakimeen Khan, Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan, Mian Misbahur Rahman and Afzal Sindhu.