ARD okays draft of no-confidence motion on Aziz

Islamabad, Aug 22: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) has approved the draft of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and sent it to the Parliamentary Committee of Joint Opposition for final approval.

The meeting of ARD, which mainly comprises Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) of former Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, was held here yesterday under ARD acting chief Makhdoom Amin Fahim.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, ARD Secretary General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra said the draft of no-confidence motion was based on a charge-sheet containing the allegations of privatisation of national assets, including Pakistan Steel Mills, Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation, Stock Market scandal, surging price-hike, law and order situation and Balochsitan Wana issues.

''We demand secret balloting on the motion of no-confidence by providing full protection to the Member of National Assembly (MNAs) because we have serious reservations regarding the government's intentions to create hurdles in the way of motion,'' Mr Jhagra noted.

He reaffirmed that the opposition is united on the restoration of 1973 constitution in its true form and continuation of struggle for restoring real democracy.

Mr Jhagra termed the introduction of Hudood Bill in the assembly as a tactic against the opposition's no-trust move against the PM.

He described the decision of the Supreme Court on the privatisation of Pakistan Steel Mills as an FIR against the government.

The Secretary General announced that the popular leadership would be in Pakistan before the forthcoming general elections. He asked for holding of elections under the supervision of an impartial election commission.

UNI