Musharraf set to lead 23-party alliance

Alliance will constitute third force in national politics, party leaders say

Former president Pervez Musharraf is set to lead a 23-party alliance, Express News reported on Monday.

All-Pakistan Muslim League (APML) president Muhammad Amjad, Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) leader Allama Zubair Ahmed Zaheer, Awami League president Riaz Fityana, Junejo League president Iqbal Dar and chief organiser Faqeer Hussain Bukhari told journalists in Lahore they all stood united behind the former president.



They said Musharraf would be returning soon to lead the Pakistan National Alliance. Together, they said, the alliance would constitute a third force in national politics. The politicos said the Interior Ministry had been asked to ensure Rangers' personnel were deployed for the former president's security. They urged former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to stop rapping the judiciary and armed forces to divert attention from his corruption.

Amjad said foreign debt had kept rising during the former PM's tenure. He said the nation had prospered in the Musharraf-era. "The media experienced a boom too," Amjad said.

Dar said the country needed a leader who could play a proactive role in international politics. Musharraf, he said, was ideal on this account.

Fityana said the governments botched initiatives had left farmers distressed. He said health and education standards had also nosedived. "The Pakistan National Alliance will remedy this," Fityana said.



Zaheer said Sharif had little to show despite being elected thrice. "The PML-N wants to perpetuate dynastic politics via the medium of democracy," he said. Bukhari said the alliance would select candidates with unblemished reputations in connection with the forthcoming general elections.