Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) on Tuesday demanded installation of a consensus interim government before elections, saying the days of military government are numbered.
Reviewing the possible outcome of US President George W. Bush's visit and political situation in an urgently convened meeting here at the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians Secretariat, the ARD party heads believed that general elections under General Pervez Musharraf would not be acceptable to the nation.
"The path is very clear from now onwards. The rulers had already lost credibility and now the courtesy trip of Bush has also exposed them before the world community that for the US, the present set-up was now redundant," ARD Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim said, while briefing journalists about the meeting.
He said the party heads furnished a set of proposals to launch a decisive movement against the government that would be deliberated upon by the Steering Committee of the joint opposition shortly.
The US president signed agreements with India and made a stopover in Pakistan, as he did in Kabul, he said. Bush spent more time with Pakistani children playing cricket and meeting representatives of the NGOs, showing his country was no more interested in General Musharraf, the ARD leader said with a stern look at his face.
Amin Fahim recalled that during his visit then president Bill Clinton was not ready for even handshake with General Musharraf before 9/11 and after that the situation changed altogether.
He alleged that the outcome of Bush's visit to Pakistan was quite understandable and a clear indication of the government's failure on all fronts.
The ARD meeting reiterated that use of force in Balochistan and the tribal belt of NWFP must be halted forthwith and contentious issues be resolved through talks.
It expressed grave concern over almost uncontrollable price hike of daily use items.
The meeting strongly advocated honourable return of Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif, enabling them to play their role in the national politics.
Explaining the demand for a consensus set up and appointment of an independent chief election commissioner and provincial election commissioners, the ARD leader said that in the absence of mainstream leaders the elections would be "action replay" of the 2002 electoral process.
About Musharraf's commitment to hold free and fair elections and that he would not violate the Constitution on the uniform issue, he asked, "What about the misuse of state agencies and institutions to turn minority into majority after 2002 elections and his pledge to shed uniform by December 2004?"
Fahim said that the rulers had their vested interests, adding that they could not be trusted for holding free, fair and transparent elections.
He accused Musharraf of following a policy of double standards and charged there was a clear difference in what he said and what he did.
He referred to the statement of Bush during his press conference at the President House, saying that Musharraf assured him (Bush) of holding free, fair and honest elections, which clearly indicated that the previous electoral process was neither fair nor free.
The agencies, police, army and provincial governments backed by district governments had broken all records of rigging and forced the politicians to change loyalties. The nation now wants all these elements to stay away from the polls, he said.
The ARD leader called for complete review of the Election Commission rules ensuring total transparency in the elections. The opposition, Fahim announced, would soon kick-off a countrywide movement against the rulers. A general is no more acceptable to the nation, he added. He also made it clear that the joint opposition's anti-cartoon programmes would continue unhindered.