PPP's boycott to damage its public image : Durrani

Islamabad, Oct 7 (UNI) The Pakistan People's Party's boycott of yesterday's Presidential polls despite fielding a candidate would be a serious setback for its image, Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said.

''Whenever the opposition faces a defeat, they escape the field and adopt the path of confrontation. The PPP has committed the same mistake which was made earlier by the MMA. Both the parties fielded their respective candidates for the top slot but then on the polling day both escaped the polling process,'' Mr Durrani said.

He claimed the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) would pave the way for good relations with all political parties, including the PPP.

''We've changed the entire political culture and the promotion of positive political norms is our commitment now,'' he said.

He said the Opposition, by fielding their candidates for the apex slot of the country, had validated the legality of electoral process, Daily Times reported.

He thanked all legislators who exercised their franchise in the polls.

Mr Durrani said the National Reconciliation Ordinance would promote reconciliation process in the country which would provide an enabling environment to hold fair, free and transparent general elections.

UNI