Imran not contest to polls under Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has said his party would not participate in the general elections due at the end of the year with President Pervez Musharraf at the helm, alleging that a conspiracy has been hatched to ensure a victory for the parties supporting the General.

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman said he would not participate in the upcoming elections in the presence of President Musharraf, alleging that a conspiracy was in place to ensure a Muttahid Quami Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) victory.

Addressing the Taxila Bar Association yesterday, Khan demanded the resignation of Musharraf and warned that the Opposition would not allow the parliamentary elections to be held while the General was in power.

Imran has accused Musharraf and the MQM of plotting the violence in Karachi on May 12 that killed at least 48 people when the country's suspended chief justice Iftikhar M Chaudhry attempted to visit the city to address a meeting of lawyers.

The former Pakistan cricket captain  said the polls should be conducted under the supervision of an independent Election Commission, the Daily Times reported.

Amidst a campaign by Imran to prosecute MQM's London-based leader Altaf Hussain for the May 12 violence in Karachi, MQM has filed a reference of allegations against the former cricketer-turned politician in National Assembly seeking his disqualification.

Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Amir Hussain last week referred the MQM petition, seeking disqualification of Imran Khan on the grounds of 'immoral acts', to the Election Commission for action.