Pak parties threaten to expose Zardari's corruption if judges not restored

Islamabad, June 19 : The All-Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) has warned PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari of exposing his corruption of billions of rupees if he failed to restore judiciary to its pre-Nov 3, 2007, status.

On the first day of their two-day meeting yesterday, the APDM leaders called for restoration of judiciary, release of the missing people, release of Dr AQ Khan, inquiry into the May 12 incident in Karachi, the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, and the restoration of the Constitution to its pre-Oct 12, 1999, position.

More than 100 leaders of component parties attended the meeting, reported the Dawn.

APDM convener Mehmmod Khan Achakzai said that the country was in the grip of several crises and appealed to the nation to unite to steer the country out of this grave situation.

He said there was a consensus in the APDM on a four-point agenda, i.e. an end to army interference in politics, restoration of the Constitution, polls under an independent election commission and restoration of judiciary.

Achakzai also criticised US' presence in the country and sought an end to military operation in FATA and Balochistan by US-led coalition forces.

On the occasion, Jamat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad said the US had become a world terrorist and it considered interference in other countries' affairs as its right. He said the American adventurism had endangered peace and criticised the government for what he called playing into the hands of the US.

Speaking at the meeting, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf's chief Imran Khan said the prevailing situation had proved that the election boycott was a correct decision. Justifying the boycott, he said it was done in accordance with a resolution passed by the Pakistan Bar Council. He said prevailing crisis could have been averted if Justice Iftikhar Mohmmad Chaudhary was reinstated and President Pervez Musharaf impeached. He said Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto came to Pakistan only because of lawyers' movement, but the political leadership had badly disappointed the nation.

ANI