SUKKUR, April 12: Lt Gen (r) Naseer Akhter has urged the political parties to participate in the presidential referendum so that after it political activities could begin and general election could be held.

Talking to newsmen in Ubauro on Friday, he said the confrontation between the political parties and Gen Pervaiz Musharraf on referendum could prove a hurdle in beginning democratic process.

He also advised the government to shelve the Greater Thal Canal Project as it was spreading hatred among the two provinces. He added no good result was expected from the project and national money would be spoiled on its construction.

He suggested the political parties should be given representation in the Indus River System Authority saying it would help end confrontation over the distribution of water.

He said the political parties should be asked to nominate their representatives to Irsa, who had sound technical knowledge of the water accord. In this way the issue could be resolved amicably, he hoped.

Meanwhile seven union council Nazims and 17 counsillors of Sukkur district have supported the presidential referendum.

A resolution in this regard was adopted in a meeting held here on Friday which was presided over by the district Naib Nazim Mohammad Iqbal Dawood.

He also held a detailed meeting with the zonal in charge of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Mohammad Zafar Khan, who according to him, assured him of their participation in the referendum.

The Naib Nazim also talked on telephone with former Muttahida MPA Saleem Bandhani who also assured him of cooperation in the referendum.

KILLED: Armed bandits shot a man dead on his resistance to kidnap bid in Dodo Bhutto village near Daharki, Ghotki district, on Thursday, which caused panic and harassment in the area.

Reports said Bahadur Bhutto was sleeping in his Autaq (guest room) in the village when four armed bandits raided the house.

They wanted to kidnap Bhutto but as he offered resistance, the bandits opened fire and killed him on the spot.