Apma Announces Its Hopefuls

APMA announces its hopefuls. Nomination papers of APMA candidates approved by the EC. Written by: Jawad

Mazhar (ROD)

Sargodha, Pakistan, Dec 3rd, (ROD): Election commission (EC) of Pakistan accepts nomination papers of ‘All Pakistan Minorities Alliance’s (APMA)’ proposed minority candidates for the upcoming Jan 8th, 2008 general elections. APMA’s zonal chief of Sargodha Mr Tahir Naveed Chaudhary disclosed the names of national assembly & provincial assembly hopefuls, here at APMA secretariat, Sargodha, Pakistan in a simple but elegant gathering. APMA workers displayed fire-works at the occasion. Talking to ROD in an exclusive interview Chaudhary divulged that APMA would run as an ally with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). He affirmed that after an important and confidential negotiation between the Central Executive Committee of PPP and Governing body of APMA it is unanimously decided that APMA Chief would run for the reserved minority seat for the National Assembly. In Punjab province Tahir Naveed Chaudhary, Pervaiz Rafiq and Naveed Aamir Jeeva would stand for the minority seats in provincial assembly, whereas Mrs Najmi Saleem would run for the Punjab Assembly on especially reserved seats for the women. Kalayan Singh will represent Sikh Community under the flag of APMA and would contest for the Minority seat reserved for the Sikhs. In the Sindh Assembly Saleem Khursheed Khokhar would run for elections under the aegis of APMA. Jaffer George and Prince Javed would fight for the reserved minority seats for the Christians in the NWFP (North West Frontier Province) and Balochistan provinces respectively. Replying to a question, Chaudhary said that it the pronunciamento of APMA to get equal rights for all the minorities of Pakistan, repeal of all the discriminatory laws including the Black Blasphemy laws of the country and elimination of all sorts of social, institutional and constitutional discrimination against religious or sectarian minorities. “In addition to this, APMA would do its best to solve other problems of the Pakistani Minorities, such as, unemployment, housing, education and health care as well”, asserted Chaudhary. Tahir Naveed Chaudhary also said that APMA wants the immediate lift of the State of Emergency and with drawl of PCO (Provisional Constitutional Order). He urged government to provide leveled field for election campaign to all the Political Parties. He declared it to be an obvious injustice that Pakistan Muslim League (Q) is preparing for the elections for last 5 years; on the other hand all remaining political parties are not even allowed to take out rallies and conduct public meetings, which is an essential part of the election campaign. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jawad Mazhar ends.