Pakistan People's Party strongly believes in politics of masses and would take part in the upcoming elections to bring change through public mandate.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, PPP-Parliamentarians Secretary, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, flanked by Finance Secretary Senator Babar Awan said that PPP intends to take part in elections as it believes that changes could only come through political and democratic process.
Commenting on shedding of uniform by Pervez Musharraf, Raja said that it is a 'strategic success' but a lot more needs to be done to pave the way for free and fair elections. Raja said the President's move is a great success but it was not the only obstacle to free and fair elections. Other steps should also be taken to ensure free and transparent elections, he added.
He said his party wants to contest elections because it strongly believes that public mandate is the only way to rule the country democratically. "We think all the political parties should take part in the elections but we will be compelled to opt for it if sidelined," he warned.
Today, he said, a line has been drawn between the two forces-one has been fighting for restoration of democracy and the other kept on convincing President Musharraf to stay in uniform. He alleged that pre-poll rigging had begun across the country and the Election Commission of Pakistan should take immediate action. Earlier, the two leaders met chief election commissioner and complained him of pre-poll rigging in various constituencies.
"The party is receiving a number of complaints about the pre-poll rigging. We have informed the EC urging him to take note of it", he informed media. Babar Awan demanded of the government to immediately restore constitution, form an independent election commission and withdraw amendments in the Pemra Ordinance.
Awan said his party has urged the CEC to disqualify Raja Javed Akhlas, nazim district government, Rawalpindi, for favouring his son who is contesting elections from Gujar Khan, a constituency where Raja Pervez Ashraf is also a PPP candidate.
"Our party openly says that it will not tolerate pre-poll rigging. We are collecting evidence and any government servant found indulged in politics in elections will have to face the music," Awan cautioned.