PPPP opposes war on Iraq, vows to resist LFO

Staff Report

LAHORE: The Punjab chapter of the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) has voiced opposition to a possible US attack on Iraq, and pledged to continue resisting the Legal Framework Order (LFO) and the president

PPPP president Makhdoom Amin Fahim chaired a convention of MNAs, MPAs and members of the central executive council and federal council from the Punjab at a banquet hall in Gulberg on Tuesday. PPPP senior vice president Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, PPP Federal Council secretary general Khalid Ahmad Khan Kharal, Punjab Assembly Opposition leader Qasim Zia also attended. Mr Fahim said the PPPP had a clear stand on Iraq and believed that war should be averted because it would result in destruction only. “The PPPP categorically opposes the war on Iraq,” he said.

He said his party would not compromise on the LFO and its newly elected senators would take oath under the1973 Constitution. He said neither the president nor the Supreme Court could amend the constitution, that only parliament could do this. “When we went to take oath in the National Assembly, the presiding officer assured us that he would administer the oath under the 1973 Constitution,” said the PPPP president. Mr Fahim the PPPP would do anything for the rule of the Constitution and supremacy of parliament. “I feel it is time for PPPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto to return, and the PPPP workers will receive her very soon,” he added.

He said some people suspected the PPPP-Patriots was part of the PPPP, but Ms Bhutto had clearly denounced the Patriots. In his address, Mr Kharal said the government had crossed the line in harassing its political opponents. “The highhandedness of the agencies against Rana Sanaullah, a PML-N MPA, speaks of the government’s fascist attitude,” he said.

He said he was sure the generals would quit their posts in shame if they read the Hamoodur Rehman Commission Report thoroughly.

He said the people of Pakistan did not trust the judiciary. “The participation of millions in the ‘million march’ indicates that the people are ready to take to the streets, and now they are looking towards the PPPP to take an initiative against the rulers,” said the former federal minister. Mr Kharal added that that the PPPP workers support the people of Iraq.

Yousaf Raza Gillani said miscalculated policies by PPPP leaders and the absence of Ms Bhutto had damaged the party. “We should bring people with ideologies back and fill the vacant offices immediately to revive the PPPP,” he said.

He said various lobbies in the party were promoting their own people and had thus forced dozens of important leaders to leave. The convention passed two unanimous resolutions against the LFO and war on Iraq. Qasim Zia, Naveed Chaudhry, Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan and several other PPPP leaders also spoke on the occasion.

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