PPP demands timely polls, extension of PHC to Fata

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Tuesday demanded timely elections on the basis of new delimitations, placing before the Parliament the bill for extending jurisdiction of Peshawar High Court (PHC) to Fata and other reforms in tribal areas leading to merger in KP and the setting up of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission as envisaged in the Charter of Democracy to correct distortions in history and contain political polarisation.

The demands were contained in the resolutions adopted during a combined meeting of the Central Executive Committees of the PPP and PPPP presided over jointly by Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Naudero House at Larkana on the eve of the 10th death anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. "The party wishes to make it clear that it will not permit any disruption in the continuity of democratic process", it said.

Spokesperson and Secretary General of the PPPP Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the party also discussed the forthcoming general elections next year and directed all party chapters to gear up, ensure women voting and take all steps needed to prevent any rigging. "The PPP will not be a party to any movement that may result in derailing the system or undermining the Parliament, he said.

The CEC expressed grave disappointment over the recent verdict of the Anti-Terror Court in the murder case of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto describing it as unacceptable and vowed to vigorously pursue the appeal filed against the verdict to expose the culprits and bring them to justice.

The meeting also expressed grave concern over media reports suggesting that militant organisations were being streamlined and reminded that under the National Action Plan banned militant outfits will not be allowed to reappear under other names.

The CEC resolved to vigorously pursue Fata merger with KP, extend jurisdiction

of Peshawar High Court to tribal areas and other reforms in Fata.

It expressed concern over the levying of new taxes on people of GB without giving them their rights and which had led to mass protests in the area and demanded that no taxes should be levied without giving them their rights.

The meeting demanded that fresh delimitation work in accordance with the recently passed constitutional amendment bill be carried out and without interference by the executive.

The CEC rejected unilateral moves to declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and warned against its consequences. It also expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

Farhatullah Babar said that the CEC also expressed grave concern over the discrimination in accountability of political leaders from Punjab and those from Sindh. It also denounced moves to roll back provincial autonomy and non-implementation of the 18th Amendment.

It also condemned closure of Sindh canals ahead of time behind the back of provincial government and called it a violation of the rights of the people of Sindh.