PPP, PML-N decision to contest election not good: APDM

ISLAMABAD—All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) on Tuesday opposed the decision of Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leadership to contest polls.
The situation in the country demands a joint decision from all mainstream political forces. Addressing a press conference here APDM Convener and President Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Mahmood Khan Achakzai said that country is passing through a critical juncture of its history.
Achakzai said both main political parties should opt not to contest elections, however, it is their party decision to contest the election and in democracy every party may have difference of opinion. Expressing his anguish over the December 27 co-incidents, he said it was indeed a grave situation in which two former premiers were attacked on the same day. “We want to know those hidden hands which mercilessly slained Benazir Bhutto!” he said and added “History will not forget us if we fail to rise to the occasion.” PPP Chairperson returned to country with her young children but was attacked in Karachi soon after she landed there in the midst of thousands of people, he added.
He did not agree with Interior Ministry spokesman’s account of the tragic incident. About APDM future strategy, he said that the umbrella of political parties was rescheduling their mass movement programme across the country and the date for a long march would be announced later. Achakzai said that APDM will continue its struggle for complete restoration of the Constitution to its pre-emergency state, judiciary and complete halt to military interference in country’s politics.
He emphasised that all provinces should have equal rights over country’s resources. He said “We preferred to remain out of the election arena not because of any personal interests but we consider that free, fair and transparent elections cannot be held under present setup.” Amir Jammat Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmed to a question said that they hadalmost agreed over Charter of Demand with PPP and PML-N.
“Out of fifteen, we had agreed over thirteen demands, and the two whichwere to be sorted out included reinstatement of judges and date for launch of mass movement against the present goverment,” he informed.
The APDM leadership also expressed its deep grief over the death of PPPChairperson and said that they welcome PPP central committee’s decision about its new leadership. APDM leaders including Liaqat Baloch, Abdul Hayee Baloch, Engr. SaleemUllah, Dr. Qadir Magsi, Hameed Ullah Mashraki, Abid Hasan Manto, Habib JalibBaloch, Farooq Tariq, M.A Bhuta and others were also present.—Online