Benazir postpones Dubai visit over emergency rumours

KARACHI: PPP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said it is Allah Almighty alone who wields power over life and death; however, she would have to exercise more caution now.She said this while addressing a news conference Wednesday night at her residence Bilawal House in Karachi after presiding joint meeting PPP Central Executive Committee & Federal Council. Benazir Bhutto said that PPP workers are being put behind bars that is strongly condemned, adding these arrests stand in gross conflict with the Reconciliation Ordinance.She said that she presided over the federal meeting of People’s Party after April 4, 1999.She said if Supreme Court's verdict in petitions challenging acceptance of General Pervez Musharraf's nomination papers by Election Commission for Presidential election goes against the government it should be respected and accepted. ``General Musharraf had accepted earlier verdicts of apex court and this should be done if judgment on Presidential election goes against the government. All should accept the judgment. ``I had planned to go to Dubai on short visit and return to address public meeting in Rawalpindi on November 9. However, following rumours of imposition of emergency in the country, I postponed my departure,'' she said.Benazir said PPP would under no circumstances support imposition of emergency in the country. The only solution to steer the country out of present crisis was holding of free and fair elections and transfer of power to democratically elected government, she stressed. ``In case free and fair polls are not held, masses will come out and PPP will be forefront to lead them in peaceful struggle for transition to democracy. For integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan a democratically elected government after elections is only solution,'' she emphasized. She condemned terrorist attacks in Karachi on October 18, in Rawalpindi on October 30 and earlier ones in which besides innocent people, army and police personnel were giving their lives. ``These are attacks on Pakistan and democratic forces.'' Former Prime Minister said ``I don't think Supreme Court will declare National Reconciliation Ordinance NRO as illegal. During preliminary hearing, apex court had not suspended NRO. Under NRO no convict has been pardoned. The said Ordinance was meant to stop horse trading. Answering a question, she said some elements were trying to manipulate upcoming general elections. In case of irregularities in elections will create a crisis in the country, she added. According to her steps have not yet been taken on ensuring transparent electoral list. ``No one can thrust will on people. We are not satisfied with voters list.'' To another question, she said ``we don't believe that attack on my rally in Karachi on October 18 was by a suicide bomber. There is no proof of that. We demand proper inquiry and reject judicial inquiry ordered by Sindh government into October 18 attack. We demand inquiry by foreign experts who have expertise in forensic technology.``I want to ask why I am being told not to go to Larkana or Rawalpindi for fear of attack. Why only me. The government should provide me foolproof security.Government did not give compensation to those who gave their lives or were injured in Oct. 18 attack.'' Benazir also criticized price spiral particularly of atta, unemployment and increase in poverty across the country. The government gave wrong figures about wheat crop and did not import wheat on time which led to abnormal increase in its price directly affecting poor people, she added. Top PPP leaders Amin Fahim, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Raza Rabbani, Jahangir Badr, Qaim Ali Shah, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Sherry Rahman and others were also present.