FAISALABAD, June 25: The Pakistan People’s Party high command is still scrutinizing applications of candidates for party tickets.

Talking to newsmen here on Tuesday, Punjab PPP secretary-general Aftab Ahmad Khan said applications were being scrutinized by a special cell and party tickets would be awarded to candidates on the basis of their popularity in their constituencies, loyalty with the party and services for the cause of democracy.

He said the final list of candidates would be made public after an approval by the party chairperson. The party central leadership had been facing problems as the number of ticket-seekers was record high. In some constituencies, 10 to 15 people had applied for party tickets.

He alleged the military regime was playing in the hands of anti-democratic forces, and negative polices were being evolved just to oust Ms Benazir Bhutto from the political arena. Such type of illegal and unethical moves would be resisted and the PPP would announce a comprehensive strategy in this regard next week.

Criticizing government policies, Rana Aftab alleged the rulers had miserably failed to resolve people’s problems.

He demanded President Gen Pervez Musharraf to form an interim government and appoint new election commissioner for holding free and transparent general elections.

ARRESTED: The Tandlianwala police have arrested three policemen on charges of providing an opportunity to three prisoners to escape.

A police team, headed by the Tandlianwala DSP, started investigation from head-constable Mukhtar Ahmad and two constables.

Meanwhile, police have failed to find a clue to the three prisoners — Shaukat, Mazhar and Ata Muhammad — who were escaped from police custody on Monday.