FOLDER - Countdown to Pakistan Elections, 10/10/2002

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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http://www.dawn.com/2002/09/28/top11.htm

PPP leader slams PTV for refusing commercial time

By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: The Pakistan People’s Party said on Friday that Pakistan Television had refused it commercial time to air a party message containing images of the late prime minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

The PPP request had been turned down by the PTV censor board with a comment that “persons convicted by courts cannot be projected on PTV,” the party’s acting secretary-general, Raza Rabbani, told a press conference.

“I condemn these words,” he said, contending that the conviction of Benazir Bhutto had been procured by the regime for non-appearance before the courts.

The conviction was not on substantive charge or on morale turpitude, Mr Rabbani said and called upon the PTV censor board to improve its knowledge of law.

The PPP leader alleged that the country’s biggest loan defaulters, Chaudhry Shujjat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervez Illahi, were projected out of proportion on PTV daily. He asked if it was a “duality of policy or law”.

The state-owned electronic media, he added, was also carrying out a systematic propaganda campaign against the PPP.

He pointed out that PTV on Aug 11 had telecast an interview of Maj-Gen Rashid Qureshi, who had not only criticized the PPP leadership but had also used very indecent and objectionable language.

The PPP leader quoted a study, conducted by Liberal Forum, saying that the study showed that the PPP was getting negative coverage by the electronic media.

He said his party, despite being the only party which had fielded over 240 candidates for the National Assembly seats, was being given negligible coverage as compared to the Pakistan Muslim League (QA) and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal. The findings of the report had fully exposed bias of PTV and the government, he added.

Mr Rabbani blasted the military regime for carrying out what he called pre-poll rigging on a massive scale, and characterized the pre-poll rigging into three categories; administrative, legislative and political.

He pointed out that the regime had brought a fresh reference against PPP Secretary-General Jehangir Badar, who, he said, was contesting election for NA-119 from the prison.

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http://www.dawn.com/2002/09/28/top9.htm

SC moved against changes in electoral laws: Reserved seats for minorities

By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: The Supreme Court was approached on Friday to give its authoritative pronouncement on the recent changes in the electoral college for the minorities under which no independent candidate can contest for reserved seats.

J. Salik filed a constitutional petition in the SC under the original jurisdiction of the apex court (Article 184-3), and stated that the recent amendments to the election laws had deprived the minorities of their rights whereby any citizen could contest for reserved seats as an independent candidate.

The amendments, he said, had created a bar regarding the reserved seats for minorities and they could not contest the election on the reserved seats for minorities except when they were enlisted members of a political party and their names figured in the party list.

The petitioner remarked that the constitution guaranteed equal treatment to all citizens without any discrimination, but the present election laws militated against Articles 4, 17, and 25 of the constitution.

He contended that the change in the election laws would ultimately affect the concept of solidarity with the minorities and their role in the national life.

The amendments to the laws had not taken care of the ground realities, he said, adding that a non-Muslim should first join the political party while certain political parties might not like to accept the membership of certain non-Muslims as their nominees to contest the election for the reserved seats and thus unwanted members of the non-Muslim community would be deprived of their fundamental rights to contest for the reserved seats.

The petitioner prayed to the apex court to direct the election commission to either hold the election on the reserved seats of non-Muslim as provided in Article 51, or direct suitable amendments to the election laws to provide for private candidates to contest the election for the reserved seats.

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83 parties contesting in October 10 polls

ISLAMABAD: There are 83 political parties contesting the forthcoming general elections
being held on October 10 for national as well as provincial assemblies. Sources in the Election Commission of Pakistan said there are two election alliances, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal and National Alliance having six parties each, while 71 other political parties contesting on separate election symbols.

Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal headed by Maulana Shah Ahmad Noorani has “Book” as its election symbols and this alliance has six leading religious parties of the country, including Islami Tehreek-e-Pakistan, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiaat Ulema-e-Pakistan (Noorani), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (S) and Markazi Jamait Al-Hadith (Sajid Mir Group).

National Alliance led by Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi with “Tractor” as its symbol has six political parties, including Millat Party, Balochistan National Party, National Awami Party Pakistan, National Peoples Party, Sindh Democratic Alliance and Sindh National Front.

The other 71 political parities contesting on separate election symbols are: 1. Awami National Party, Lantern, 2. Awami Qiadat Party, Gun, 3. Azmat-e-Islam Movement, Spectacles, 4. Balochistan National Congress, Horse, 5. Balochistan National Democratic Party, Spade, 6.Balochistan National Movement, Saw, 7.Balochistan National Party, Axe, 8. Hazara Qaumi Mahaz, Tumbler, 9. Istiqlal Party, Football, 10. Ittehad Milli Hazara , Bottle, 11. Jamaat Ahle Hadith Pak(Sheikhupuri), Sewing Machine 12. Jamhoor Wattan Party, Wheel, 13. Jamiat Ulema-e-Pak (Nafaaz-e-Shariat), Elephant 14. Jamoot Qaumi Movement, Charpai, 15. Kakar Jamhoori Party Pakistan, Stag, 16. Labour Party Pakistan, Trowel (Karandi) 17. Markazi Jamaat Ahle Hadith (Lakhwi), Table, 18. Markazi Jamaat Ahle Hadith (Zubair), Inkpot with Pen, 19, MNAKA, Cap, 20. Mohajar Ittehad Tehrik, Fountain, 21. Mohajir Kashmir Movement, Bowl, 22. Mohajir Qaumi Movement Pakistan, Candle, 23. Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Kite, 24. Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal, Book, 25. National Peoples Party (Workers), Bucket, 26. National Workers Party, Richshaw, 27. Nizam-e-Mustafa Party, Clock, 28. Pak Wattan Party, Railway Engine, 29-Pakhtoonkha Qaumi Party, Pashawari Chappal, 30. Pakistan Awami Party, Cup & Saucer, 31. Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Truck, 32. Pakistan Awami Tehrik-e-Inqilab, Bell, 33. Pakistan Democratic Party, Umbrella, 34. Pakistan Freedom Party, Lota, 35. Pakistan Gharib Party, Chair, 36. Pakistan Hamwattan Party, Mountain, 37-Pakistan Ittehad Tehreek, Butterfly, 38. Pakistan Maqsad Himayat Tehreek, Suitcase, 39. Pakistan Muslim League (F), Rose, 40. Pakistan Muslim League (Jinnah), Television, 41. Pakistan Muslim League(Junejo),Bus, 42. Pakistan Muslim League (N), Tiger, 43. Pakistan Muslim League (QA), Bicycle 44. Pakistan Muslim League (Qasim Group), Hand Pump, 45. Pakistan Muslim League(Z), Helicopter, 46. Pakistan Muzdoor Kissan Party, Planner, 47. Pakistan Pakhtoonkhawa Milli Awami Party, Tree, 48. Pakistan Peoples Party (Shaheed Bhutto), Fist, 49. Pakistan Peoples party (Sherpao),Chiragh, 50. Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Arrow, 51. Pakistan Progressive Party, Garland, 52. Pakistan Seriaki Party, Takhti, 53. Pakistan Shia Political Party, Hukka, 54. Pakistan Social Democratic Party, Wrist Watch, 55. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Bat, 56. Pakistan Workers Party, Ladder, 57. Pak-Muslim Alliance, Fish, 58. Punjab National Front, Persian Wheel, 59. Punjab National Party, Turban, 60. Qaumi Inqilab Party, Boat, 61. Qaumi Jamhoori Party, Sickle, 62. Qaumi Tahaffuz Party, Loud Speaker, 63. Saraiki Sooba Movement Pakistan, Knife, 64. Shan-e-Pakistan Party, Flower Vase, 65. Sindh Urban Rural Alliance, Roller of Wood, 66. Sunni Tehreek, Table Lamp, 67. Tameer-e-Pakistan Party, Hammer, 68. Tehreek-e-Hussania Pakistan, Bridge, 69. Tehreek-e-Jamhooriat Pakistan, Bulb, 70. Tehrik-e-Istiqlal, Pitcher and 71-Tehrik-e-Musawaat, Comb.

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Multiple Nominations - Multiple Rejections

Election fever is in high gear in Pakistan these days. About one month remains till national and provincial elections. With a strong show of participation, 71 parties filed nomination papers. There are a lot of new faces on the scene. It seems that new rules and covenants will indeed bring fresh blood, and hopefully fresh outlook on governance. Yet, some dreaded old faces just do not go away.

Although the election rules were handed out in black and white, it is not clear if it is being done in an attempt to push the limits of the system, or perhaps out of sheer irresponsibility. Some of the old faces that are now synonyms with corruption and bribery have also filed for nominations. Not just from one constituency but from five, and not just in one category, but also in all possible categories.

The expected has happened, with elections rules barring those under corruption investigations or indictment having had their nomination papers rejected. One would think this would have satisfied their appetites for playing around with the system yanking the chains of the administration. But behold! Their party workers, at their orders, are running amok in streets, protesting the ‘injustice.’ They are questioning the nation as to why their leader’s corruption is not being rewarded with another shot at looting the national treasury.

If one was reading a comic novel, one would close the book at this point and laugh it off. But wait! There is more! Same old faces are now complaining to other heads of states and the United Nations. They are pleading with the United Nations, rather like a clown at a circus, to be somehow allowed to circumvent the election procedures and be installed as ‘elected rulers.’ Surprisingly, all this drama is supposedly in the name of democracy.

If this convoluted approach to elections makes your jaw drop in awe, then welcome to the club. This twisted logic and immature behavior of ex-looters of Pakistan treasury is beyond anyone’s comprehension.

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http://thefridaytimes.com/main31.htm

Iqbal Khattak
says the MMA has fielded the highest number of candidates in the NWFP for the upcoming elections and is hoping to catch the high tide of anti-US sentiments prevailing there

The final list of candidates issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan shows the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), a conglomerate of six religious parties, is contesting the highest number of national and provincial assembly constituencies in the October 10 general elections.

The alliance has also taken the lead in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), where the Political Parties Act has been extended for the first time since the government sought to introduce adult franchise in the area preceding the 1997 polls.

For the twelve seats in FATA, MMA has fielded nine candidates (75%) against four (33%) from the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP); one (9%) from the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz); two (17%) from the Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam); five (42%) from the Awami National Party (ANP), and two (17%) from the Pakistan Peoples Party (Sherpao).

The MMA has also covered the highest percentage of provincial assembly seats. For the 99 seats of the NWFP Assembly, MMA has fielded 82 candidates (83%) against PPPP’s 53 candidates (54%); PML (N)’s 52 candidates (53%); PML (Q)’s 63 candidates (64%); ANP’s 57 candidates (58%), and PPP (S)’s 47 candidates (47%).

Similarly, for the 35 national assembly seats from the province, 33 MMA candidates (94%) will contest against PPPP’s 21 candidates (60%); PML (N)’s 14 candidates (40%); PML (Q)’s 20 candidates (57%); ANP’s 17 candidates (49%) and PPP (S)’s eight candidates (23%).

The Majlis will directly challenge ANP Central President Asfandyar Wali Khan on NA-7 in Charsadda-1 and the PML (Q)’s Anwar Saifullah Khan on NA-27 in Lakki Marwat. A one-on-one fight is expected in both constituencies, and observers believe the contest will be close.

Speaking to TFT, a researcher on religious parties said: “MMA is all set to exploit the situation.” He was referring to the groundswell of anti-American sentiments among the conservative population of the NWFP. “The theme of ‘atrocities against Muslims’ is a potent weapon in MMA’s arsenal and the sentiment will get a fillip if Washington decides to attack Iraq,” he said.

The MMA campaign slogans corroborate that observation. “It’s a mix from American bombing of Afghanistan to reversal of Islamabad’s Kashmir policy to kowtowing to the US to the clash of civilisations,” says another analyst, adding: “At least in theory the MMA is preparing to turn its setback to electoral advantage.”

Most observers agree that if the Majlis could mobilise the conservative vote, it could exploit the seething anger among the rightwing. “Even if they do not win outright, they could return a sizeable number of MPs to provincial and national legislatures, far more than what has been normally the case,” says a political observer.

Pakistan has witnessed strong anti-US sentiments and the feeling is stronger in the NWFP. Some observers think it also pervades the lower echelons of civil bureaucracy. “These feelings are also fuelled by the Musharraf government’s close association with the Bush administration in its war against terror. But even more because of Musharraf’s perceived inability to get Washington to side with Pakistan against India,” says an analyst in Peshawar.

Some analysts also think the rightwing vote that overlapped with the PML (N) may return to the electoral advantage of the Majlis partially because that party has fractured and partially because its breakaway faction, the PML (Q) is widely regarded as the King’s party and by that token close to the regime.

“A last minute decision by voters will make all the difference as far as the number of MMA candidates who win on October 10 is concerned,” says a former politician who is not contesting this election. Interestingly, the MMA’s aggressive electioneering and the number of candidates it has fielded have also worried other party heads. Most fear the Majlis could spring a surprise under the prevailing circumstances and that it has gained more ground in the past month than was expected when it appeared to be running aground on the issue of seat adjustments.

Speaking to TFT, one provincial party head plainly admitted he was concerned by the MMA’s rising popularity and its aggressive election campaign. “I think the alliance may win around 20 provincial assembly seats this time, while their strength in the National Assembly looks considerably better than on previous occasions.”

After their dismal performance in the 1997 elections, leading religious parties – including the Jama’at-e-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Sami) – are all set to win more seats this time. “If they fail to do that this time then they are finished,” says an observer who thinks it would be impossible for these parties to either get such circumstances again or stay intact in a single alliance as now.

Haji Jalil Jan, a JUI (F) provincial leader, told TFT he thought the elections would be closely contested between the religious and political parties, adding that this was because the religious parties stood united.

The religious parties’ decision to stand together is largely due to their poor showing in the 1997 elections as well as the regime’s change of Afghanistan-Kashmir policies at the behest of the United States. In 1997, the JUI (F) could win only one seat in the NWFP Assembly from the Bannu district, the party’s stronghold in the province, and its representation in the National Assembly was zero. For its part, the Jama’at-e-Islami boycotted those elections, though it launched an aggressive membership drive right after the elections.

The JUI (F) chief, Fazlurrehman could not even win his traditional seat (NA-18) from D.I. Khan-Tank and lost it to Sardar Umer Farooq Khan with a huge margin of 20,538 votes. Earlier, in 1988, he won the seat from the JUI (F) platform, while in 1993 he contested and won as a Muttahida Deeni Mahaz (United Religious Front) candidate. The party is hopeful that he will stage a comeback in the upcoming elections.

The JUI-F made headlines when Maulana Hasan Jan brought down the political heavyweight Khan Abdul Wali Khan in the 1990 elections, winning the NA-5 Charsadda seat by a margin of 13,523 votes. However, the party’s joy was short-lived, as Khan’s son, Asfandyar Wali Khan, reclaimed the seat in 1993 and has since won the seat in every subsequent election.

During the 1988 and 1990 polls, the JI joined the ISI-created Islami Jamhoori Ittehad to help Nawaz Sharif counter Benazir Bhutto. It left the IJI in 1992 and organised several small parties under the rubric of Pakistan Islamic Front. The PIF fought the 1993 elections but lost badly, bagging merely three seats in all. The defeat almost cost Qazi Hussain Ahmed the JI leadership after he faced bitter criticism from the JI Old Guard led by former Amir Mian Tufail Muhammad. However, in 1997, the religious party decided to stay out of the elections.

Similarly, the Maulana Sami-ul-Haq-led Muttahida Deeni Mahaz, which included Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s faction of the JUI, managed to win only a couple of National Assembly seats from the Frontier.

Added to the religious parties’ resolve to stay united and contribute to their possible success in the October polls, is the possible US attack on Iraq. **“If America decides to attack Iraq, it will prove a blessing for the MMA, helping it to use the heightened anti-US sentiments to its advantage,” **says an observer.

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EU team meets candidates

By our correspondents

NAWABSHAH: A two-member European Union observer delegation visited Nawabshah and Larkana on Saturday to observe election preparations.

It comprised Manuei Sanchez de Nogues and Alistair Robert Jordan, both long-term observers.The mission held a meeting with District and Sessions Judge Syed Zakir Hussain, District Coordination Officer Abdul Qadir Mangi and District Nazim Faryal Talpur. Later they visited the training camp of polling staff.

The mission later visited the election office of PPPP candidate for NA-213, Dr Azra Pechuho who apprised it of the problems she was facing with regard to the forthcoming general election. The meeting was held behind closed doors.

Dr Azra later told newsmen that she informed the mission about the campaigning and interference of a provincial minister. She said she submitted a videocassette to the mission as evidence of the campaigning by the minister.

The mission met Syed Zahid Hussain Shah of PML-QA. Zahid Shah said he informed the mission about the campaigning of District Nazim, who is sister of Dr Azra. When contacted the members of the mission refused to reply to any question.

The delegation also visited Larkana to assess electioneering and activities of various political parties. They also met a number of politicians to learn about their opinion about forthcoming elections. They drove all the way to Mirpur Bhutto, and exchanged views with Mumtaz Bhutto. They then met candidates of the Sindh Democratic Alliance (SDA) Syed Asghar Hussain Shah Rashdi and Ali Hassan Hakro and got their views about the election. The team also met the candidates of PML-QA.

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Elections – one grave and two bodies

By Amjad Warraich

The October elections are a matter of “one grave and two bodies” for both the PML-N and the PML-QA as these will determine their future and status.

Since the creation of Pakistan, the Muslim League was divided into many factions and the track record shows that only power-backed faction survived. The other factions vanished because of having no links to the power corridor. If any faction resisted for survival, it was reduced to the status of a dependent political force of major political parties.

The factor behind such culture is opportunism that has been a guiding principle for PML leaders and workers. The politics of 1950s when elected governments were replaced overnight following changing of legislators’ loyalties and that of 1960s when Ayub Khan’s Convention Muslim League ruled the country for almost a decade is a proof of such culture in the PML.

The leaguers never hesitate to join the party provided it enjoys power. What the remnants of Convention, Council and Qayyum Leagues did after 1970 elections by joining Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government is still fresh in the people’s minds.

Muhammad Khan Junejo was a disciple of Pir of Pagaro but when he became the prime minister in 1985, he rendered the Pir a non-entity in the politics by winning leaguers’ hearts.

Nawaz Sharif treated Junejo in the same way after his dismissal from the government in 1988. Till his death in 1993, Junejo had to depend on Nawaz, who was constantly in power.

In view of the fact, it may be said that the leaguers never tolerate liabilities in their ranks. They rather like the leader who leads them to power. That’s why no family has ever succeeded in establishing its legacy in the PML and no leader has ever tried to transfer his faction to his family members except Nawaz.

By the way, this is what the mature political parties do in the developed democracies. However, that is done through some respectable way. After losing elections, their leaders usually pave the way for those who are supposed to lead the party to power because every party’s ultimate objective is to come to power.

The actual PML-N, now divided into two factions – PML-N and PML-QA – was built up in the power corridors to oppose the PPP during Gen Ziaul Haq, Junejo and Nawaz governments. The government’s favours have been the prime incentive to the people to join the PML. No other than Nawaz knows this as he was the architect of his faction.

Nawaz knows the PML culture and the importance of government resources for leaguers. He is the person who explored new ways to exploit the government resources to enhance his political power.

Such realisation seems real driving force behind his faction’s election strategy which aims at blocking the way of PML-QA at any cost. Otherwise it may eliminate PML-N remnants and reduce it to a small faction.

Under the apprehension, PML-N feels no harm to join hands with its arch rival – the PPP, to which, it opposed in the past and derived legitimacy and strength from the anti-PPP posture.

On the other hand, the PML-QA also terms it the matter of survival. The political career of Mian Azhar, Chaudhrys of Gujrat and many other leaders who depend on power politics is at stake.

In the election campaign, the PML-QA is being fully supported by the Musharraf government, which visualises Nawaz and Benazir as its arch rivals and wants their elimination from parliamentary politics. On the other hand, PML-N leader is not in the country to run the campaign. Since it represents Sharifs legacy, it is an uphill task for it to survive as an effective political force in the country in the absence of Sharifs.

Even if it succeeds in keeping PML-QA out of power, it seems too difficult for the PML-N to form a government either in Islamabad or in Punjab, whereas, control of at least one of these two governments is necessary for survival of any of the rival PML factions. If PML-QA loses, the maximum the PML-N can hope to gain is status of a junior partner of the most probably a PPP-led coalition government.

Since the PPP has a tradition of eating up its junior partners, such a situation will not benefit the PML-N. Then that party will emerge as an alternative force playing the opposition’s role. A PPP-PML-N coalition will leave the field open to other parties to establish themselves as an alternative political power. It can lead to 1993-96 situation when Chattha’s Junejo League joined the PPP coalition government and the PML-N emerged as an alternative political force because of its opposition to the PPP.

Even if the PML-QA loses, the PML-N will have to remain in the opposition. Since it comprises Sharif loyalists, some Sharifs’ presence in the country will be a must for its survival.

In the past, the PPP and the PML-N had established themselves as two major political forces. The PPP and the PML-N are expected to maintain their positions independently in the October polls as there is no any other party in the run to attain such position. However, no doubt at least one will have to lose.

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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/today/main/top4.htm

A stop-gap PM

By Zamir Sheikh

THE graduation condition has debarred almost all the bigwigs and seasoned Sindhi politicians from contesting general elections. But their next generation has filled the gap. So is the case with Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, a big name in the politics of Pakistan.

The late Z A Bhutto’s powerful Chief Minister of Sindh, Mustafa Jatoi, has lately come to be known as a ‘stop-gap Prime Minister’. First considered for this ‘special job’ by Ziaul Haq in the late seventies, he rushed back home, cutting short his vacation in London, only to find out later that the decision to install him as PM had been put off for the time being. After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan Zia didn’t need to put up a democratic face to the military rule; the Americans remained infatuated with the dictator until the war was over.

The next time he got a fair deal. It was in 1990 when the powers that be picked him as the Caretaker Prime Minister after the ousting of Benazir Bhutto from power. One phone call from the Presidency made him rush back home to take up the assignment he had been aspiring since 1979.

To him it was a dream come true. Now hopes raised after his nomination as the Chairman of the ISI-manufactured National Alliance were dashed when the military regime decided not to burden the elderly politician with any major assignment.

Notwithstanding the fact that both Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and his son Murtaza Jatoi have been debarred from contesting the October 10 elections for not being graduates, the Jatoi House has remained the hub of political activities as the scion of this family is contesting for the provincial assembly seat from his ancestral town. The most fortunate one was Arif Mustafa Jatoi, Old Man’s younger son. He is a candidate for PS-19 Naushero Feroze-I.

All his opponents are scared of him, said our correspondent. Naushero Feroze has remained the stronghold of National Peoples Party. During the last elections, the Jatoi family had dominated. Arif in a corner-meeting, held recently, claimed that in the ensuing general elections his opponents would suffer ignominious defeat. People have not yet forgotten that senior Jatoi had lost in 1988. But this time things are different.

Addressing a corner-meeting in his constituency, the junior Jatoi said that people had voted for the Jatoi family in the past and now once again they will support the Jatois. He said the NPP had served the people of Naushero Feroze without discrimination and reiterated that if he voted to power, he will not disappoint his electorate. All his opponents have acknowledged the development works carried out in the district while the Jatois were in power.

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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/today/main/top7.htm

Imran’s protest rally against Governor

From Our Correspondent

MIANWALI—We had decided to support General Musharraf, hoping that he would rid the country of corrupt and plunderer politicians but he has put the corrupt leadership of the entire country into a basket, said Imran Khan and Amanullah Khan Niazi, a PML(N) leader who is also a candidate for NA-72 constituency, while addressing a protest rally against Punjab Governor’s visit to Mianwali on Saturday.

Imran Khan said that General Musharraf has backed out from his seven-point agenda, and both the President and the Punjab Governor are fully engaged the pre-poll rigging.

The Governor’s visit to Mianwali, he added, it seems, is to infuse life into corrupt politicians’ election campaign.

He further said that it is against the dignity of his office as Governor to hoodwink the people of Mianwali by a false promise of providing Sui gas to them. “We vehemently condemn the Governor’s views which began only 13 days ahead of the upcoming elections which is clearly a gesture to save the looters from election defeat, Imran remarked.

Imran Khan said he has going to start a movement against Chaudhrys of Gujrat to expose their loot throughout the country.

Inamullah Khan Niazi, a candidate for NA-72 constituency, while addressing the rally, promised that he would try his level best to totally wipe out dishonest elements and put the nation on a revolutionary footing.

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Ejaz vowed to give stunning defeat to PML-N

:rotfl: :hehe: :hehe: :rotfl:

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40 political heavyweights of Sindh out of contest

By GN Mughul

HYDERABAD: About 40 political heavyweights of Sindh are out of the electoral contest due to the election laws or because their nomination papers have been rejected or they themselves abstained due to “certain” reasons.

These politicians include a former prime minister, a former caretaker prime minister, a former governor-cum-ex caretaker chief minister of Sindh, former federal and provincial ministers, three present provincial ministers, former MNAs, former MPAs, former senators and other prominent political figures.

The number of PPP heavyweights hit by new election laws is largest in Sindh, being at least 22. However, the case of two political figures Mumtaz Bhutto and Makhdoom Khaliquzzaman is very significant as they do qualify to contest the ensuing elections but both abstained. Makhdoom Khaliq seemed to be so allergic to the elections that he left for abroad about a month prior to the initiation of the election process.

The political heavyweights, who are not contesting elections, are: Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister, Pir Pagaro, chief of PML (F), Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, former caretaker prime minister, ex-PPP federal minister, Asif Ali Zardari, ex-MNA Hakim Ali Zardari; present provincial ministers Sardar Muqeem Khoso, Syed Aijaz Shirazi and Khan Muhammad Dahri, former federal ministers Syed Ali Nawaz Shah and Mir Murtaza Jatoi, ex-federal state minister Shah Nawaz Junejo; ex-MNAs Babal Khan Jakhrani (PPP), Mehran Khan Bijarani (PPP), Nawab Shabbir Chandio (PPP), Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jilani (PPP), Abdul Sattar Bachani (PPP), Muhammad Bux Jamali (PPP) and Waja Karimdad (PPP); former provincial ministers Nadir Ali Magsi (PPP), Masroor Jatoi (NPP), Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi (PML-F), Abdul Salam Thahim (PPP), Mir Munawwar Talpur (PPP), Mir Ejaz Talpur and Pir Mazhar ul Haq (PPP); former senator Hamzo Palijo (PPP); former MPAs Altaf Rind (PPP), Muhammad Bux Khaskheli (PML-F), Pir Noor Shah (PPP), Abdul Ghafoor Nizamani (PPP), Ghulam Qadir Palijo (PPP), and prominent political figure Mushtaq Rahu.

However, all of them are very much part of the current political process as their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and other near relatives are contesting the elections in their place.

For example, Pir Pagaro and Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi are not in the run but Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashdi, son of Pir Pagaro and brother of Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi, are contesting from one national and one provincial constituency of District Khairpur.

Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and his sons Murtaza Jatoi and Masroor Jatoi are not in the field, but brother of Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Dr Ghaffar Jatoi is contesting from Moro National Assembly constituency and youngest son of Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi is contesting from a provincial constituency of District Naushehroferoze.

Hakim Ali Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari are out, but Azra Pechuho, daughter of Hakim Ali Zardari and sister of Asif Ali Zardari is contesting from NA constituency of Nawabshah District from where Asif Zardari used to get elected as MNA.

Mumtaz Bhutto’s son Amir Bux Bhutto is contesting from a provincial constituency of District Larkana. Babal Khan Jakhrani is not a candidate, but his son Aijaz Jakhrani is contesting against former Speaker, National Assembly, Illahi Bux Soomro.

Mir Mehran Bijarani is not contesting, but his son is a candidate. Sardar Muqeem Khoso is not in the run, but his son is contesting on a provincial constituency. Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jilani is not a candidate but his son is a candidate from an NA constituency of Khairpur District.

Haji Rehmatullah Bihan is not contesting, but his son Zulfiqar Bihan is contesting against Dr A Ghaffar Jatoi.

Shah Nawaz Junejo’s son Muhammad Khan Junejo is contesting from an NA constituency of Sanghar District. Abdul Salam Thahim has pitched his younger brother Abdul Rahman Thahim to contest from Shahdadpur provincial constituency in his place. Son of Altaf Rind is contesting from a provincial constituency of Sanghar District. Mir Munawwar Talpur’s younger brother Mir Anwar Talpur is contesting from the same provincial constituency.

Abdul Sattar Bachani has pitched his wife Shamshad Bachani to contest from his home NA constituency of Tando Allahyar. Abdul Ghafoor Nizamani’s son is contesting despite not being awarded ticket by the PPP.

Two Syed brothers of Thatta District viz Shafqat Shah Shirazi and Aijaz Shah Shirazi are out, but Ayaz Shah Shirazi, son of Aijaz Shah Shirazi, is contesting from an NA and a PS constituency of Thatta District.

Pir Mazhar ul Haq was not allowed to contest elections but in his place his daughter, Marvi Mazhar is contesting from the same provincial constituency. Similarly, Rafiq Jamali, son of Muhammad Bux Jamali, is contesting from the same NA constituency of Dadu District.

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During weekdays on news night Talat Hussain invites the chair person of one party out of 83 parties and discuss about the up coming election and their views on Pakistan. The party to be interviewed is chosen in alphabatically order. Its interesting to listen to the views of these parties. Logon to my server if you would like to listen their views.

Use win media player, click File, Open URL and paste the following as it is.

http://209.23.179.121:1036

53

http://www.dawn.com/2002/09/30/top7.htm

Opposition vows to launch drive against polls-rigging

ISLAMABAD, Sept 29: Opposition leaders have threatened to launch a nationwide movement against President Gen Pervez Musharraf if his government manipulates the results of the next month’s general election.

“The government has started pre-poll rigging. Police and state machinery are being used openly to muster support for pro-government candidates,” said Zafar Ali Shah, vice-president of deposed premier Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N).

“They are trying to loot the elections to bring their favourites into parliament,” Mr Shah said, alleging “naked” interference in the electoral process.

“Police twice removed my banners and pasted posters of the King’s Party candidate,” he told AFP, referring to a Pakistan Muslim League faction (PML-QA), which supports Musharraf’s political and economic policies.

Several other leaders, including cricket hero-turned politician Imran Khan and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s aide Nisar Khuhro, said provincial governors in Punjab and Sindh were announcing grants and development schemes to woo voters.

Mr Shah, who is contesting from the twin-cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, accused the state-run PTV and radio of ignoring PML-N candidates and promoting PML-QA nominees, who are likely otherwise to be defeated.

“It appears as if PML-N does not exist in Pakistan,” he said. “But if the government tries to manipulate the results, political parties will react strongly and the country may be plunged into a political crisis.”

Former army chief Gen Mirza Aslam Beg also warned that a countrywide protest campaign would be launched if the pro-government party was brought to power through rigging.

Mr Beg, who has formed his own Awamai Qyadat Party, was quoted as saying in Dawn that his candidates were being harassed and forced to join the PML-QA. The nomination papers of several of his candidates had been rejected without justification, he was quoted as saying.

Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani, leader of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), an alliance of six politico-religious parties, also said his group would resist attempts to rig the upcoming elections.

A countrywide movement would be launched if the pro-government candidates were favoured in any way on the polling day, he said, speaking at a public meeting in Faisalabad.

The MMA leader criticized Musharraf’s pro-US policy. “Conspiracies are being hatched to make Pakistan a secular state but religious leaders and activists will not permit anyone to do so.”

However, Information Minister Nisar Memon in a BBC interview this week rejected the criticism, saying that there were no government favourites.

“The people of Pakistan are intelligent enough to decide whom to vote for in the elections,” he said.

Pakistani religious parties launched a nationwide movement in 1977 against alleged rigging of elections by then premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, which culminated in a military coup by Gen Mohammad Ziaul Haq.

The October 10 election will be the first since army chief Musharraf deposed Sharif and seized power in a bloodless coup in October 1999.

The election commission has rejected the candidature of both Mr Sharif and self-exiled Benazir Bhutto, citing recently drafted laws which bar convicts and absconders from contesting elections.

The allegations by political leaders coincided with publication in a newspaper of an internal European Union (EU) election observers’ document.

According to the Daily Times, it says that the government’s decision to bar top opposition leaders “seems to have no legal basis at all.”-AFP

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http://www.dawn.com/2002/09/30/top8.htm

Political activity gaining momentum

ISLAMABAD, Sept 29: With just 11 days to go for Oct 10 elections, the political parties are finally in top gear to muster support of masses. There are 83 political parties and a large number of independent candidates to contest the elections.

There are 1070 seats of National and Provincial Assemblies, which include reserved seats for women and no-Muslims.

According to final and consolidated data compiled by Election Commission there are 8,349 candidates contesting on 342 National and 728 seats of four provincial assemblies, including reserved seats for women and non-Muslims.

For 342 seats of the National Assembly, including 60 reserved for women and 10 for non-Muslims, there are 2,424 candidates in the run.

Against 728 seats of the four provinces, including reserved seats for women and non-Muslims, there are 5,925 candidates.

For the two eats of federal capital, there are 28 candidates in the field.

For 10 reserved seats for non-Muslims in the National Assembly, there are 45 candidates.

For 148 general seats of National Assembly from the Punjab, there are 946 candidates while for the 35 reserved seats for women there are 135 candidates.

On the 297 general seats of Punjab Assembly, there are 2,386 candidates, while for the 66 reserved seats for women in Punjab Assembly there are 261 candidates and for eight reserved seats for non-Muslims in the Punjab Assembly there are 36 candidates.

For 61 general seats of National Assembly from Sindh there are 634 candidates, while for 14 seats reserved for women there are 79 candidates in the field.

For 130 general seats of Sindh Assembly, there are 1,561 candidates and for 29 seats reserved for women in Sindh Assembly there are 210 candidates and for nine seats reserved for non-Muslims in Sindh Assembly there are 85 candidates in the run.

According to the data, for the 35 general seats for National Assembly from NWFP, there are 241 candidates while for the eight reserved seats for women there are 45 candidates.

For the 99 general seats of NWFP Assembly, there are 642 candidates while for 22 reserved seats for women in National Assembly from NWFP, there are 126 candidates and for three reserved seats for non-Muslims in the NWFP, there are 23 candidates.

The data showed that for the 14 seats of National Assembly from Balochistan there are 128 candidates while for the three reserved seats for women in the National Assembly from Balochistan there are 22 candidates.

For the ten seats of Fata in the National Assembly, there are 121 candidates in the run.-APP

55

http://frontierpost.com.pk/main.asp?id=19&date1=9/30/2002

PML-PPPP seats adjustment failure a setback to democracy

ISLAMABAD (NNI): PML(N) chairman Raja Zafarul Haq Sunday said that the Nawaz group failure to clinch a seat adjustment with PPP is a setback to democracy.Haq voiced fears during an interview with IRNA that non-cooperation would have a bad impact on efforts to enforce constitutional and parliamentary supremacy after the elections.

He also said that the people were not happy over the PML-PPPP’s inability to strike an understanding on a seat-to-seat adjustment.

“There is even no symbolic seat adjustment on one or two seats,” he noted.

Both major political forces have been in talks for weeks over the subject.

In the end, however, they failed to agree on a seat adjustment.

Raja replying to another question said that the future role of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) would depend on how the PML and the PPPP behave in parliament.

He held angry elements in the party for the division in its ranks during the last three years.

“Few politicians were not happy with Nawaz Sharif during his rule,” he said.

“When the government was sent packing and these elements were also encouraged at the official level, the party stood ultimately split in two parts,” he pointed out.

Commenting on Nawaz and Shahbaz, he said at present it would be impossible for them to return to the country.

However, he added, after the elections, there could be a chance for them to stage a comeback.

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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/today/main/top9.htm

JAH announces support to PML(Q)

By Our Staff Reporter

LAHORE — Hafiz Ibtesam Elahi Zahir, the chief of Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith Pakistan, formally announced the support of his party to the Pakistan Muslim League PML-QA in a public meeting organised by the Ahl-e-Hadith Trust here on Sunday.

Hafiz Ibtesam Elahi said that his party had announced the support to the
PML-QA on their assurance of enforcement of Islam in Pakistan and for the supremacy of Islam as a religion and the upholding of the Islamic teachings.

He said that the PML-QA was the only party which openly opposed the military government’s proposal for the deletion of Hudood Ordinance.
Hafiz Ibtesam said his party was following a mission which is only the enforcement of true Islam in all fields of life and added if the PML-QA failed in fulfilling its promise, the Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith would be the first party not only to part ways with them but to oppose them as they did with the Nawaz Sharif government and added “we opposed Nawaz Sharif when his government was at its prime.”

We are working for the restoration of true democracy and the Jamiat would resist every dictator whether he is a civilian or a militaryman, maintained Hafiz Ibtesam.

Ch Shujaat Hussain, the central leader of the PML-QA, addressing the public meeting, said the mistakes of Nawaz Sharif forced Gen Pervez Musharraf to take over. He said the act which Nawaz Sharif did on October 10,1999 was illegal, unlawful and uncalled-for. The government affairs, added, were running smoothly and there was no tussle with the army chief but Nawaz Sharif took a decision to remove the army chief, even without taking his associates into confidence, and the same decision brought bad days for Nawaz Sharif.

He said that he and his aides had been working with Nawaz Sharif for 14 years but they turned out to be hypocrites. Shahbaz Sharif had been using foul language about Benazir Bhutto but now he is claming the same lady as her sister, remarked Ch Shujaat Hussain.

Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, the PML-QA leader, hailed the services of the late Allama Ehsan Elahi Zahir and also admired his son Ibtesam Elahi Zahir for announcing support to the PML-QA.

Khurshid Kasuri said that Pakistan is passing through a very sensitive phase as India had deployed its army with our borders while the US has prepared all for attack on Iraq.

He said anti-Pakistan elements want a weak government in the country while it is need of the hour to establish a strong government in Pakistan and its all provinces.

He claimed that PML-QA is the only party which has strong roots in all the provinces and it is eligible to make a strong government.

The PML-QA chief, Mian Muhammad Azhar, was to also address the event but he could not turn up due to his engagements in the election campaign. However, his written message carrying the words of thanks for the Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith was read by his messenger and media advisor Ch Abdul Wahid.

In this public meeting the participants were not only brought from the adjacent cities of Lahore but some were from Faisalabad, Sargodha and Vehari.

The public meeting was also addressed by Ehtesham Elahi Zahir, Motasim Elahi Zahir, Mualana Manzoor Ahmad and Muhammad Ahmad Khan, advocate.

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http://www.dawn.com/2002/10/01/top5.htm

PPP pledges to strive for egalitarian society

By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Sept 30: The People’s Party Parliamentarians announced on Monday its manifesto for Oct 10 elections with a pledge to strive for an egalitarian Pakistan.

PPP President Makhdoom Amin Fahim told reporters at the party’s secretariat that ‘Roti Kapra aur Makan’ was to the day the main plank of the party’s manifesto.

The PPP reaffirmed its faith that people were the political sovereigns and the party would continue to struggle for their economic, political and social rights, he said.

PPP acting secretary-general Raza Rabbani later spelt out the salient features of the manifesto saying that they had highlighted 28 issues confronting the people and the country. A detailed working paper would be released within the next few days, he added.

Mr Rabbani said an electoral reform package, earlier released by the party, would also be part of the manifesto.

“The rigging of elections has robbed the people of hope in the ballot. Unless this hope is recreated, the malaise will deepen,” read the manifesto.

He said that peace has been accorded top priority in the manifesto.

Religion was the second most important issue addressed in the manifesto. It pledged to promote religious tolerance in the country, saying that beliefs of individuals had little to do with the business of the state.

On the issue of terrorism, he said: “Terrorism was born in the bowels of dictatorship, which recruited, trained, armed and financed extreme factions while marginalizing the moderate, democratic and pluralistic forces.”

The PPP, he added, was proud to have had given Pakistan stability and the writ of the state in all its governments making the safety of citizens its top priority.

Mr Rabbani noted that during the last three years massive retrenchment in the government departments and organizations was carried out. “For the first time mass unemployment reached such heights that people chose to commit suicides because they were unable to feed their families,” he said.

The PPP vowed to eradicate poverty by increasing the social sector budget and the annual development plan. “It is by investing in our youth that we can build a progressive and prosperous society,” he added.

Mr Rabbani said the party was of the view that country’s external debt was a main woe afflicting the country’s economy.

He claimed that the PPP during its terms had retired one billion dollars. “Regimes squandered opportunities that arose where Pakistan, like Egypt and Jordan could have got the debt written off,” he added.

The PPP always took power after rulers signed agreements with international financial institutions locking it into pre-fixed frameworks. As soon as the PPP strengthened the economy enabling it to negotiate a better deal with the international financial institutions, it was overthrown by the anti-people forces, he said.

Mr Rabbani said the PPP would introduce a “Pay as you earn scheme” to promote credit purchases by the middle class people. A credit bank would be established to disperse small and medium loans to encourage instalment purchases of daily life necessities. “Open minds, open markets, open opportunities is our slogan as we change IoUs into MoUs,” he added.

In the education sector, he said, the party would provide free textbooks to the government primary schools. “PPP commits to its sons and daughters an education that enables a brighter future,” he added.

He further said that the party would set up a youth force named “Khadim-i-Danish” on the lines of lady health visitors scheme who would assist in education, literacy and health enhancing rates and creating social awareness. Overseas youth would also be involved in the scheme.

The manifesto also took up rule of law as an issue as a major factor of most of the political and economic ills.

58

CEC assures C’wealth observers of fair elections.

Says EC has taken enough measure to guard against corrupt practices.

ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner Chief Justice (retd) Irshad Hasan Khan on Monday assured a 32-member Commonwealth Observers delegation that the forthcoming general elections in the country were being conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law.

Briefing the delegation, headed by former Malaysian deputy prime minister Dato Tan Sri Musa bin Hitam, about detailed procedure and arrangements of the election, the CEC said the commission has taken adequate measures to guard against corrupt practices.

Enumerating the steps so far taken, the CEC explained that the commission had made all necessary arrangements for holding October, general elections in a free, fair and transparent manner. He said that the commission had prepared electoral rolls, following the provisions of the Electoral Rolls Act-1974 in letter and spirit by making house-to-house enumeration.

The CEC said the delimitation of national and provincial assemblies constituencies was done in a fair and transparent manner by following the well-established principles enshrined in Section-9 of the Delimitation of Constituencies Act-1974. He added the fairness of the delimitation process can be judged from the fact that only 950 representations were filed for 849 general seats.

The CEC told the delegation that the Code of Conduct for the elections was prepared after inviting suggestions from the political parties, while, the district returning officers, returning officers and assistant returning officers had mostly been appointed from the subordinate judiciary, except in those places where judicial officers were not available.

He said various other measures have also been taken by the Election Commission, which included balanced coverage of the political activities of different parties on the electronic media and strict instructions to the executive not to influence the one or the other candidate or favour one or the other political party.

The CEC said dialogues have been held with different political parties from time to time to mitigate their problems. Election symbols were allotted to parties liberally and there was almost no grievance of any party in this regard, he added. He said media has been kept informed about various developments from time to time through various methods, and added that this is for the first time that the chief election commissioner has held frequent press conferences in order to keep journalists informed of the various steps.

The CEC said that even after the conclusion of the polls, if grave illegalities or violation of the provisions of the election act were found at any constituency and the commission was satisfied that the polls there ought to be declared void, it would not hesitate to make the declaration, accordingly.

Chief Justice (retd) Irshad Hasan Khan told the delegation the commission has accorded full cooperation and support to the European Union Observers Mission in Pakistan and will continue to render its full-fledged support to them as well as to the Commonwealth observers and other international observers.

He said the observers are free to visit polling sites on their own discretion without prior approval from the Election Commission and they will be issued special entry passes for this purposes.

Dato Tan Sri Musa bin Hitam thanked the chief election commissioner for receiving the delegation and briefing them in a comprehensive manner. “We have decided to make groups, covering the four provinces and a few other selected areas. Our visits to the polling sites will be ad hoc, a sort of drop-in, where we will talk to common people and political parties at the spot to see what is happening there,” he remarked.

The Chief Election Commissioner, while responding to the remarks of Dato Tan Sri Musa bin Hitam said that not only the Commonwealth Election Observers but also the European Union Election Observers and other international observers can always count upon the active support and cooperation of the Election Commission of Pakistan in performance of their functions as observers. Chief Justice (retd) Irshad Hasan Khan said that the spokesman for the Election Commission was always available to assist them and to solve their problems, if any, in connection with the electoral process.

The CEC reiterated that the international observers are at liberty to perform their functions as observers and are free to form their own independent judgement as to the electoral process in Pakistan and express their opinion accordingly.

59

Dozens of ex-MNAs, MPAs of Balochistan not contesting polls

By Muhammad Ejaz Khan

QUETTA: Dozens of former MNAs and MPAs, despite having strong influence in their respective tribes, are not contesting the upcoming elections this time around due to certain reasons, including the graduation condition.

Except for the high command of PML-Q, majority of the politico-nationalist parties in Balochistan - the Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) and others have condemned the condition of graduation. Perhaps, this is the reason why the leaders of these political parties have not only rejected the Political Parties Order 2002 but also the constitutional amendments made by the regime.

Nevertheless, the graduation condition has changed the political scenario of Balochistan and paved the way for new faces. In Balochistan over 20 politicians, including three former chief ministers – Nawab Muhammad Akbar Khan Bugti, Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and Sardar Akhtar Mengal – have become victims of the condition. Founder of Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti had won NA-202, Sibi-cum-Kohlu-cum-Dera Bugti-cum-Ziarat seat in the general elections of 1993 and 1997, securing 27,645 and 29,276 votes, respectively.

The chief of JWP is considered as a potential candidate of the party in this constituency. But he had to nominate his nephew Ali Haider Bugti who is contesting for the seat. The political pundits predict that Ali Haider Bugti may retain the seat if the polls were held fair and transparent because Nawab Akbar Bugti and his son Nawabzada Saleem Akbar Bugti had been elected twice each from the same constituency since the general election of 1988.

Former chief minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal and his brother former Senator Javed Mengal could not field their nomination papers due to graduation condition. “Although I am not a graduate but we have the alternate who is contesting polls,” former chief minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal told The News. Whereas former chief minister Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, who had won PB-26 Jhal Magsi seat in the four elections since 1988 and elected chief minister of Balochistan twice, is also not contesting the polls due to the graduation condition.

Sardar Saleh Bohtani from PB-35 Lasbela-II who had been elected from this constituency in 1993 and 1997 has also become the victim of the graduation condition. Saleh Bohtani has nominated his brother Sardar Aslam Bohtani to retain the seat.

Former MNA Maulana Abdul Ghani of JUI-F had won NA-198 Pishin-cum-Killah Saifullah seat in 1988 and 1997 elections. But this time Maulana Ghani is supporting Maulana Muhammad Hanif, another nominee of MMA. Maulana Ghani is one of the renowned religious scholars having strong influence in JUI-F and in the constituency as well. Former provincial ministers Mir Faiq Ali Jamali, Haji Behram Khan Achakzai, Malik Sarwar Khan Kakar, Mir Muhammad Ali Rind and Sardar Abdul Rehman Khateran have been disqualified by the accountability courts. Most of them are either undergoing jail terms or supporting their nominees in the October 10 polls.

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BBC poll predicts narrow PPP victory

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples’ Party will have a narrow lead in the coming general elections but Mian Azhar of the PML(Q) is expected to be the next prime minister, says a BBCUrdu.com survey.

The pre-election opinion poll, commissioned by BBCUrdu.com, the BBC’s new Urdu language website, was conducted in ninety nine cities and towns and more than a hundred villages throughout Pakistan, says a press release issued here Tuesday.

A total of 2,827 Pakistanis of voting age were asked their opinion about the elections in face-to-face interviews. In a poll full of surprises and contradictions, some major regional differences emerged on issues such as allegations of pre-election rigging, the ban on militant organisations and the performance of the military government.

A clear majority of voters in Sindh believe the PPP will win. But PML (Q) enjoys much greater support in Punjab and Balochistan. According to the survey, the PML (N) which once enjoyed a strong support in urban Punjab appears to be losing its mass appeal. Only twelve per cent of respondents thought that it will win a majority of seats with only eighteen per cent Punjabis predicting its win.

To the question of who is going to be the next prime minister of Pakistan, Mian Azhar emerged as the front runner but with only 17 per cent - followed closely by Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Farooq Leghari and Imran Khan.

However, there’s surprise when women’s views were analysed separately. For women, Imran Khan is the front runner to form a new government. He also enjoys more support in Sindh than Mian Azhar and Farooq Laghari. The survey also reveals some interesting contradictions, and demonstrates the continuing strength of traditional political allegiances.

Benazir Bhutto was rated both the best and the worst prime minister over the last two decades. Nawaz Sharif emerged as both the second best and the second worst prime minister over the same period.

Contrary to the general perception, General Musharraf enjoys considerable support in NWFP with sixty per cent saying his tenure has proved good for the country. Comparison of General Zia and Musharraf also brought out some interesting revelations.

Punjabis find General Zia a better ruler than Pervez Musharraf. But fifty five per cent of respondents in Balochistan preferred Musharraf to Zia. In another apparent contradiction, a majority felt that the future government will be able to function smoothly but a majority were also unsure whether the next government will be able to complete its term. About fifty per cent said that it will be better than the Benazir Bhutto’s government and forty six per cent expect it to perform better than the Nawaz government.

A clear majority of Pakistani voters said army should not participate in the politics, with even larger majorities in NWFP and Balochistan. Fifty four per cent voted for army’s permanent institutionalised role in running the country and fifty one per cent approved the establishment of the National Security Council.

An overwhelming majority of the respondents said all Pakistani laws should be based on Islam, with one hundred per cent support in NWFP. But fifty nine per cent felt that religion should be separated from politics and that there was no place in politics for religious leaders.

Out of total adult male and female respondents a clear majority do not believe the elections will be completely free and fair - although 24 percent of those interviewed said they either didn’t know or didn’t want to comment.

Fifty four per cent believe that Benazir Bhutto should have been given permission to return and participate in elections; Nawaz Sharif scored slightly lower with exactly fifty per cent. More than half the respondents supported the ban on militant and sectarian organisations. But the arrest and handing over of suspected al-Qaeda members to the US was opposed by 58 per cent of the respondents.

The pre-poll survey for BBCUrdu.com was conducted in the last ten days of September 2002 and is the representative sample of the entire adult population of the four provinces. About BBCUrdu.com the opinion poll was commissioned by BBCUrdu.com, which is the only completely text-based Urdu news website in the world.

The 24X 7 site covers up-to-the minute news, features and analyses on Pakistan, India South Asia, and the rest of the world. BBCUrdu.com is carrying in-depth material, including special features and exclusive coverage, on the ongoing Kashmir elections and the forthcoming elections in Pakistan.

The opinion poll, the biggest of its kind conducted for the coming elections , is part of BBC’s coverage of the elections in Pakistan.

The poll encompasses general trends and expectations gathered from people from all four provinces of Pakistan. For the complete results of the opinion poll log on to www.bbcurdu.com

Oasis International Pakistan conducted three thousand face-to-face interviews of a representative cross section of adult (18 years-eligible to vote) citizens. Half of them were male and half were female. Two thousand interviews were conducted in 99 cities and towns and 1000 interviews were done in 100 villages spread over all districts and provinces of the country. The cross section covered all literate, semi-literate and illiterate segments in accordance with their proportions. It also covered all socio-economic classes.