DERA ISMAIL KHAN, April 23: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal have appealed to the people to boycott the referendum.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Samiul Haq) Amir Qazi Abdul Latif said at a press conference at the residence of Pakistan People’s Party District President Shaista Khan Baloch that Gen Musharraf was undermining the Constitution. He said constitutional experts had termed the referendum a drama for legitimizing the general’s extended stay in the presidential office.   He said the ARD and the MMA had rejected the constitutional amendments made by an individual who was not authorized to do so.   Besides, Jatatar Union Council Nazim Shaista Khan, Pakistan Muslim League District President Raja Akhtar Ali, JUI(F) District President Qari Mohammad Nawaz, Jamaat-i-Islami leader Iqbal Ghuncha advocate, D.I. Khan PPP General Secretary Chaudhri Juma Din and PML District Organizer Dr Abdullah Zafri were also present.

Qazi Latif said the referendum was another attempt to strengthen dictatorship in the country.

He was of the view that former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto should return and face the trials. The public opinion was in their favor and their leadership was needed badly, he said.

Qari Nawaz said Gen Musharraf did not have confidence of the people and a number of public meetings were cancelled as it had been predicted that the attendance there would be very poor. He said the bureaucracy was leading the country towards a disaster and the general should assess the situation.