Opposition gives Zia ultimatum

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 6

Opposition gives Zia ultimatum

INZ.PA Islamabad. ! Five outlawed Pakistani; [political parties have vowed to launch nation-wide demonstrations to topr>le the 'Government of President. ! Mohammed Zia-Ul-Haq if democracy is not restored [within six weeks. The Pakistan National Alliance presented its demand 'at a national convention attended by 800 delegates at Lahore. The Pakistan National Al-' liance consists of five Opposition political parties, all, middle-of-road or Rightist. ' The meeting, chaired by Pir Ali Mardan Shah, head of the Pakistan Muslim League, was held in violation of martial law regulations which ban political' (gatherings. ' General Zia outlawed all ; political parties in Pakistan, last October 16. [ He prohibited political 'activities, indefinitely post-

1 poned the General Election, i I then scheduled for last NoI vember, and started a tough policy of “cleaning up ; society.” Pakistan held its last General Election in March, 1977, I but results were voided after the Pakistan National Al- ■ liance charged that the polls I were rigged by the Prime ; Minister, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was later executed on charges of conspiracy. The violent unrest ■ that followed that election .provided General Zia with 'the opportunity to stage the coup that brought him to I power. The P.N.A. meeting at La- • hore yesterday passed a resolution demanding that the ' present military Cabinet be immediately disbanded and that an interim government of civilians hold a General ‘ Election followed by the transferral of power to the winners.