HYDERABAD, Feb 11: Sindh PML-N Information Secretary Zahid Rafique Butt has demanded suspension of district governments, particularly of Karachi and Hyderabad, to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.

“It is impossible to hold transparent elections in Karachi and Hyderabad while the district governments and nazims remain in power there,” he said at a news conference at the press club here on Monday.

He said the candidates of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidates in Hyderabad were being threatened with dire consequences and their posters and banners removed.

He said Nawaz Sharif was not contesting elections for power but to save Pakistan. He alleged government machinery was being used to the benefit of a party allied to President Musharraf and the Election Commission was helpless.

He said after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif was the only bridge among the provinces. He claimed there were two major parties, the PPP and the PML-N but Nawaz Sharif was the only leader who could save the country.

He termed Benazir Bhutto’s assassination a conspiracy and supported the PPP demand for investigation into it under the UN.

There was no guarantee the country will remain safe in the presence of President Musharraf, he said, adding if election results were tampered with, PPP and PML-N will launch a movement for removal of ‘Gorbachev.’

He wondered why no bomb blasts took place in public meetings of PML-Q and MQM and why other parties were being targeted. He claimed that if elections were held in fair and free manner, PML-N will form government in Punjab and will be a coalition partner at the centre.

He condemned registration of fabricated cases against PPP activists and demanded their withdrawal. He also condemned the publication of certain advertisements by the Choudhris and said it was a conspiracy against the federation.

He said if elected to power, the PML-N will institute proceedings under article-6 of the constitution against those who had violated basic laws.

PML-N candidate for NA-220 Shabbir Ansari, PS-49 candidate Samiuddin Sajid and a large number of local party leaders were also present on the occasion.