Boycott row splits Opp alliance
APDM jettisons PML-N, ANP
Bureau Report

LAHORE—Anti-election parties of All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) will withdraw nomination papers of their respective candidates on December 15 and hold a national conference on December 18. Leaders of the APDM told newsmen after holding a meeting at the residence of Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, here on Monday.
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Gen. (R) Hameed Gul of Tehreek-e-Ittihad, Abid Hassan Manto of National Workers Party, Hameeduddin Al-Mashraqi of Khaksaar Tehreek, Rasool Bukhsh Palejo of Awami Tehreek, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Mehmood Khan Achakzai of Pakhtoon Khuwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), and leaders and representatives of other member parties attended the meeting.
On this occasion, Labour Party announced its joining in the APDM fold and vowed to support its moves. Briefing the newsmen, newly elected APDM convener Mehmood Khan Achakzai said that APDM had already decided that any member party, which participate in the general election, would be considered out of the Movement.
The PML (Nawaz) in violation of the APDM decision, is going to participate in the election process following pressure by its office-bearers and workers, therefore, it is no more part of the Movement, he maintained. To a question, he said that everyone was aware about the formation of the APDM and its objectives.
To a question PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that Mian Nawaz Sharif had his own limitations that resisted him to side with them. JI Chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed said that all the APDM parties in a procession would withdraw nomination papers of their respective candidates on December 15.
He said, “We will not support or oppose any political party and will reject the election symbol.” No election symbol would be allotted under Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), however, the alliance would remain intact, he added. Former Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr.Sher Afgan Niazi said on Monday that APDM had been finished with the decision of Nawaz Sharif for participation of PML- N in the elections. In an interview with PTV, he said that JI and TI wanted to ally with a big party for boycott, because JI has separated path from MMA..
He was of the opinion that if these parties did not participate in the election, PML(Q) will benefit from it more than PML(N), because JUI was cooperating with the PML(Q). To a question regarding the boycott of the some parties, he said that the credibility of election will not be affected.
President Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmad Monday said that although the MMA is intact, it is no more an election alliance and added that he would not allow any party in the MMA platform to use ‘Book’ as an election symbol.
Addressing a joint press conference with PTI Chief Imran Khan at his residence, Qazi said that MMA would remain intact as it was formed to end sectarianism and other differences within religious communities in the country.