LAHORE, Aug 13: PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira has urged the PML-N government not to go for local body elections on a non-party basis in Punjab because it is incompatible with the Charter of Democracy.

“Our nation cannot afford the rebirth of Ziaism which has already played havoc with the national destiny and is continuing unabated even today,” he said in a statement here on Tuesday.

He warned if the PML-N went ahead with its plan, the PPP would not only challenge the decision in the court of law but would also take it to the court of people.

“Article 140(A) of the Constitution is evidently clear that all political, administrative and financial powers shall be exercised by the elected representatives of the people. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is living up to his reputation of controlling the local bodies through DCOs and bureaucrats who would be subservient to his whims but his conduct would amount to hurting the very basis of the local system badly,” he added.

Mr Kaira said the other two provinces were holding elections on a party basis and one failed to understand as to why Shahbaz was adamant on undermining political parties role in politics at all levels. He made it clear that the PPP would not accept non-party elections and would launch campaign against the move with a view to mobilise public opinion.

He said the Sharifs should desist from fiddling with the democratic norms. “They prefer doing governance through remote control for which they are well known,” Kaira said. — Staff Reporter