Fazal, Nawaz urged to pullout from polls

FAISALABAD—Naib Amir Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Liaqat Baloch has urged Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman and Nawaz Sharif to revise their decision and join them to boycott the election.
Addressing a press conference here Sunday, he claimed that only JI is sticking to its decision of boycott while remaining parties within the fold of All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) have changed their stance. He said that JI has made a well-considered decision to boycott the election and added that remaining parties would also be forced to join us after the announcement of election results.
He said that JI has initiated a campaign from slums to boycott the polls and in this connection masses would be convinced to remain away from the polls. He said that JI candidates have expressed discipline and have withdrawn 150 papers for National Assembly, 400 for provincial assemblies and 45 for special seats. President of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and Central Amir of Jamat-e-Islami (JI), Qazi Hussain Ahmad has announced holding of convention of all the candidates who withdrew their nomination papers in protest and announced boycott of Jan 8 elections.
The convention of these candidates will be held in Islamabad on Dec 18 (Tuesday), he said while talking with newsmen at `Guest Hour’ programme of Nowshera Press Club on Sunday. Qazi Hussain Ahmad alleged that masses have rejected elections under present set up and according to Gallop Survey 56 percent people have supported boycott of upcoming general elections.
He said JI workers will convince masses for boycotting elections in the whole country and in this regard mass people contact campaign would be launched. He said the assembly formed after Jan 8 election would not be more than a rubber stamp, having no authority.

—Agencies