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.

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Jawad Mazhar ends.