Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) President Makhdoom Amin Fahim said on Saturday that the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) was leading the country towards the state of emergency or the martial law.
He stated this while addressing a press conference at the residence of PPP leader Nafees Siddiqui during which Roshan Din Junejo, former District Nazim Sanghar, announced joining the PPP.
Sindh PPP President Qaim Ali Shah, PPP Central Information Secretary Sherry Rehman, Sindh PPP General Secretary Nafees Siddiqui and others were also present.
About the deal, Makhdoom Amin Fahim said there were some issues which were yet to be settled between President General Pervez Musharraf and PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto, but the government had requested the PPP not to disclose these issues. He said no meeting between Benazir Bhutto and President Musharraf was scheduled to be held in the near future.
Anmin Fahim said the current political scenario could lead the country towards a 'extra constitutional situation', adding the PPP was striving to free the country from military dictatorship.
He said the PPP was holding talks with the government through back-channel diplomacy for the supremacy of law and restoration of real democracy in the country, adding the PPP had demanded restoration of 1973 Constitution as it was before 12 October 1999 military take-over. He, however, said: "We accept the amendments to the Constitution that increased women seats in the assemblies and introduced joint electorate system."
The PPPP chief termed the Article 58-2(b) of the Constitution as a weapon, which was aimed at killing democracy in the country. To a question, Makhdoom Amin Fahim said that every Pakistani has the right to return home, adding Nawaz Sharif had kept himself away from the ARD. "The PPP is clear on its stance of not joining the APDM and now Sharif brothers are free to do what they want", he added
Sherry Rehman said that Benazir Bhutto would not compromise on principles, adding the PPP was holding talks with the government because it was a civilised way to resolve issues peacefully. Roshan Din Junejo said that Junejo family had never joined PML-F but they had made alliance with Pir Pagara about local bodies election. Qaim Ali Shah and Nafees Siddiqui welcomed his joining the PPP.