ISLAMABAD, Oct 7, Reuter: Supporters of the late President Mohammad Zia—Al-Haq have banded together to fight Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party in elections next month.
An announcement by leaders of eight mainly right wing and religious parties on Thursday night said the alliance would put up joint candidates on November 16.
The elections are the first to be contested by political parties since Zia seized power in 1977.
The program of the “Islamic Democratic Alliance” (IDA) included making Islamic laws supreme in Pakistan and full support for the “Holy War” of Moslem rebels in neighboring Afghanistan,
Political analysts said the alliance is dominated by the Pakistan Muslim League headed by Federal and provincial ministers appointed by the late military ruler. The other seven parties have little national influence individually, they said.
The alliance was formed at a meeting called by former Sind Province Chief Minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, a Bhutto Ally who broke with the 35 year old People’s Party Leader two years ago.
In 1970 the People Party under Bhutto’s father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, won S9 percent of the popular vote.
Political Pundits say Zia’s death in a plane crash on August 17 has made the People’s Party a favorite to become at least the biggest party in the assembly.
The party in turn dominates the movement for the restoration of democracy, a nine party anti Zia alliance.
Three other parties including the Pakistan Muslim League (Junejo) headed by former Prime Minister Mohammad Khan Junejo, are also widely reported to be” planning an electoral pact.
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