LAHORE, Feb 21: The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) on Wednesday hailed the decision of holding a multi-party conference (MPC) in London under the ARD banner.

Speaking at a news conference, ARD Senior Vice-President Nawabzada Mansoor Khan and Deputy Information Secretary Munir Ahmad Khan said the agreement between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to hold the moot under the ARD banner on March 24 and 25 showed that the alliance was intact and all the rumours by “intelligence agencies” about the disintegration were a mere propaganda.

They said they hoped the MPC would make important decisions for the restoration of “true” democracy in the country.

The Nawabzada said Gen Pervez Musharraf had put the country’s security at stake by adopting controversial internal and external policies. The government, he said, had damaged state institutions and the ARD would take remedial measures.

He said only free and fair elections and transparent transition of power could safeguard democratic institutions in the country.

“The first and foremost step towards the cherished goal is that the election commission should be non-partisan and elections are held in a transparent manner,” the Nawabzada said, adding that the ARD’s struggle for an independent election commission and fair and free elections would continue.

The ARD leaders said they were concerned over the deteriorating law and order situation in the country and said that the murder of provincial minister Zille Huma proved the failure of the government.

ARD leaders Munir Husain Gilani, Manzoor Gilani, Zaeem Qadri and Qazi Abdul Qadeer Khamosh were also present.