MMA demands early local government polls on party basis

The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has demanded of the government to immediately announce the schedule of local government elections, which must be held on party basis. MMA president Qazi Hussain Ahmad told newsmen after the meeting of the supreme council of the alliance here on Saturday that the government is using delaying tactics for holding local government elections. He alleged that the government is using unfair means for the success of ruling party candidates in the forthcoming local government elections.
He also announced that fresh general elections to be held under the supervision of General Pervaiz Musharraf would not be acceptable. However, he did not reply to the question regarding boycott of local government elections by the MMA if they are held under the supervision of General Pervez Musharraf.
Qazi demanded resignation of General Musharraf and constitution of an independent election commission through parliament to hold fair and free general elections in the country.
He further said the MMA is in constant touch with other opposition parties, which are committed to initiate joint struggle against unjustified policies of General Musharraf.
He said the MMA is still determined not to participate in the meeting of the National Security Council.
Earlier, briefing newsmen regarding decisions taken in the meeting of the MMA supreme council, Liaquat Baloch said the meeting expressed concern over the Kashmir policy of the present government, which has not taken the parliament as well as cabinet into confidence on the ongoing talks with India. He said the MMA has decided to protect the "Two Nation Theory".
The meeting expressed concern over rising unemployment and high prices of essential commodities and utilities. The supreme council also decided to restart mass contact campaign and from May 4-31, demonstrations will be held in major cities of the province.
The meeting also condemned the behaviour of EU officials with MMA leader Maulana Samiul Haq, arrest of MMA workers in Gujranwala and attack on procession of Eid Miladun Nabi by MQM workers in Hyderabad.
The meeting through a resolution expressed concern over president Musharraf's deviation from the national stance on Kashmir issue and his proposals for resolving this issue.
Professor Sajid Mir, Lieutenant General K.M. Azhar (Retd), Liaquat Baloch, Hafiz Hussain Ahmad, Syed Munawar Hassan, Qari Gul Rehman, Riaz Durrani, Pir Ijaz Hashmi and Amir Gilani attended the meeting among others.