Frontier Post : APDM decides to boycott elections F.P. Report

APDM decides to boycott elections F.P. Report

November 30, 2007

LAHORE: Former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif Thursday reiterating APDM's principle stand to boycott next general elections said that a committee has been constituted to contact Benazir Bhutto and Maulana Fazal ur Rehman for convining them to boycott the polls.

Addressing a press conference after All Parties Democratic Movement meeting on Thursday, he said a committee comprising himself (Mian Nawaz sharif) Imran Khan, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Nawabzada Mansoor Khan and Abid Hassan Minto would meet PPP's Chairperson to appeal her to boycott the elections.

He said that to convince JUI chief Maulana Fazal ur Rehman to boycott the elections Qazi Hussain Ahmed would accompany the aforementioned committee.

The APDM leaders met in Lahore and decided to stay away from the elections as they believe that the elections would not be transparent under President Musharraf, Nawaz Sharif said.

"We are boycotting these elections," Nawaz added. "We will try to convince other political parties so that this boycott is effective," he said, adding they would call a meeting with leaders of other opposition.

APDM also rejected General Musharraf's televised address in which he announced to lift emergency on December 16.

He said that the alliance has decided to form two committees to meet Benazir Bhutto and Maulana Fazal ur Rehman to ask them to join the other parties in the boycott.

The APDM demanded restoration of the Chief Justice and all other judges who have been sacked by President Musharraf on November 3rd, when he imposed emergency in the country.

The APDM decision was taken after the leaders of the alliance had heard the speech of President Musharraf on the television.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of the Jamiatul Ulema-i-Islam was not present during the proceedings of the APDM’s crucial meeting.

Earlier, the Jamaat-i-Islami, headed by Qazi Hussain Ahmad, had adopted a resolution placing five pre-conditions for participating in the polls.

To a question, Qazi Hussain Ahmad said the JI empowered him to take any decision about the boycott of the upcoming elections and unity of the al opposition parties.

NNI adds: The Secretary General of MMA Fazlur Rehman has termed the boycotting the elections as tantamount to strengthening Pervez Musharraf and the US interest and as a result, the assembly will be filled with the US stooges.

Talking to a private TV, he said that it will take time to create confidence among the people even after shedding uniform by Gen (R) Pervez Musharraf and the ideologists like us cannot be satisfied with merely such measures.

He said that it is true that General Musharraf has worn off his uniform and has taken oath as civilian president.