ISLAMABAD, 21 November 2004 — The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) yesterday announced plans for a countrywide campaign against President Pervez Musharraf after indications he would renege on a promise to quit as army chief by the end of the year.
Under a deal with an alliance of Islamic parties last year, Musharraf pledged to give up his military post by the end of 2004 in return for support for constitutional changes validating his rule and giving him extensive powers.
But Musharraf has given strong indications recently that he would go back on his word and would stay on as army chief.
The alliance, a grouping of secular parties, said it would launch its protest campaign with a rally in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Dec. 6.
Raja Zafarul Haq, a senior leader of the alliance, said rallies were also planned in Azad Kashmir, Sialkot, Sukkar and Sarghoda. “We have decided to mobilize the public for the restoration of true democracy and the supremacy of Parliament,” he said.
ARD leaders have also decided to join hands with the alliance of Islamic parties, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), which cooperated with Musharraf last year, in their campaign, he said.
Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup in October 1999. At first ruling as chief executive, he added the title of president in June 2001. Military rule formally ended with the election of a pro-Musharraf government, led by a prime minister, in 2002.
But despite his promise to give up his uniform, Musharraf has recently suggested doing so could undermine his authority in the war on terror and ability to push forward a nascent peace process with India.
Aside from demanding the president give up his military post, the planned ARD meetings will also call for the release of Asif Ali Zardari, Makhdoom Javaid Hashmi and Yousaf Raza Gillani.
