PML (N), PPP at odds over polls under Musharraf

ISLAMABAD—Opposing ARD Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim’s statement that election under President Pervez Musharraf could be acceptable, Pakistan Muslim League (N) Wednesday said that elections under Gen. Musharraf “can never be fair, free, and open”.
“PML-N is of the firm view that there isn’t even an iota of doubt that election under General Musharraf can never be fair, free, and open,” said PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal said in a statement.
However, Ahsan said, the issue of taking part in the election under General Musharraf will be decided “in consultation with ARD and other opposition parties” when the election schedule is announced. “The past record of his (Musharraf) regime clearly demonstrates that his government has no limits of squandering state resources, politicizing state institutions and machinery, and rigging when it comes to getting its turncoats elected,” he alleged.
If it was the Local Bodies elections 2001, Presidential Referendum 2002, General Elections 2002, or Local Bodies Elections 2005, he argued, were a clear proof of his claim. “The manner in which General Musharraf has started patronizing Q League leadership by attending party meetings in uniform, making open appeals to public, and diverting all state resources towards Q-League’s election campaign, there shouldn’t any doubt in anyone’s mind about his future plans,” he said.
“Even if a caretaker government is constituted under him its role will not be any different from the role of Shaukat Aziz Cabinet,” he claimed. He said like Mr. Shaukat Aziz, whose role is “confined to inspecting utility stores” the role of caretaker government will be restricted to inspecting the polling stations.
If opposition decided to take part in election under protest, as it did in 2002, it will not be because it trusts General Musharaf but only to fail his ploy of winning two thirds majority for changing the constitution.”
He said, “The challenges facing Pakistan demand that Pakistan avoids having another controversial election. Instead of letting next election produce political crisis and instability all efforts should be made towards promoting political reconciliation and harmony through a transparent election.”
“General Musharraf who has already ruled longer than any democratic leader and is about to complete two terms permissible to any US President should follow his ‘Pakistan First’ policy and step down to pave way for political reconciliation in the country through formation of a consensus neutral caretaker government, which could supervise fair and free elections through an independent Election Commission with level playing field for all parties and leaders,” he added.
He said, “PML-N strongly condemns government crackdown on BNP rally and arrest of its workers and leaders in Balochistan and demands immediate release of all detainees. Military action and crack downs of political leaders in Balochistan must be stopped to avoid situation from further deteriorating,” he concluded.—INP