Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has sent another veiled threat to struggling President Pervez Musharraf, who it blames was now manoeuvring through terror to either postpone again or manipulate parliamentary polls due next week. But the party, a top leader told media here on Monday, would resist both plans tooth and nail.
"We (PPP) don't want postponing elections even for a single day," said Senator Babar Awan, adding: "And if rigging takes place we will consider it as a war on the federation and the people." "Not body could save Pakistan, if attempts were made to change the decision of the people by using terror as technology," he warned.
Babar Awan told journalists as suicide bombers continue to hit election rallies of a Pushtoon nationalist party, sparking doubts whether voting could take place peacefully on next Monday.
An opinion suggests low turnout due to a scare created by a sting of suicide bombings of late will ease the job of a 'hidden hand' to rig polls in favour of Musharraf's political allies. The PPP, the senator said, would not support any further postponement of polls on the pretext of volatile law and order.
"If the present rulers are unable to protect people, then we will bring those who are able," Awan said in a careful rhetoric apparently directed at Musharraf without naming him.
"These rulers have already pushed Pakistan into an alley of blood and fire," said Babar, adding: "No body can stop the PPP march towards democracy." The PPP would resume campaign in Punjab through a public rally in Faisalabad city on February 14.
But PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, Babar said, was not provided the security he deserved being the head of Pakistan's The party has been blaming the isolated President for failing to provide adequate security to its slain leader Bhutto, but never directly threatened to uproot his rule.