ARD rules out deal or dialogue with Govt

ISLAMABAD—Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) has said that getting rid of the sitting rulers is imperative for free and fair elections in the country categorically adding that the component parties of the alliance do not believe in deal or dialogue.
Addressing a press briefing on Tuesday after ARD meeting at the Pakistan Peoples Party Secretariat here, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Secretary General ARD stressed a need for chalking out a joint strategy.
Zafar Ali Shah, PML-N and Malik Hakmeen, PPPP were present on the occasion. He expressed strong resentment on the Bajaur and Dargai incidents. He said the Dargai incident occurred as reaction to Bajaur air strike.
He said that in the meeting it was observed that Dargai and Bajaur incidents are continuation of what is happening in Balochistan and Waziristan. The list of those killed in Bajaur explains that they were Madressah students. If the government was monitoring the Madressah for over a year than it should have launched a case in the court so that the court would have decided. There are grave threats to the federation in the country and President General Pervez Musharraf has himself admitted that on the television. The federation has weakened in the past seven years. He said the ARD appeals that President General Pervez Musharraf extending mercy on the masses quit both the offices. He said that a General’s participation in a political party’s rally donning military uniform and cap is contrary to constitution and law. Keeping this proof in mind free, fair and transparent holding of elections is impossible in the country.
Iqbal Zafar Jhagra said that in the Makhdoom Javed Hashmi’s case we are demanding justice and not release from the government.—Online