Islamabad, Nov 29: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has termed President Pervez Musharraf’s retirement from the army as its ‘strategic success’, and asked Musharraf to do more for holding January elections in a free and fair manner.

"It is a great success but Musharraf’s step to relinquish the post of Army Chief was not the only obstacle in the way of democracy," Raja Pervez Ashraf, PPP-Parliamentarians Secretary General, said.

Ashraf said that the PPP wanted to contest the elections because they strongly believed it was the only way to come to power through public votes.

He was of the view that all political parties should take part in the elections, and added that he was confident that Musharraf’s step to give up army uniform would prove costly for the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid during the elections.

"Today a line has been drawn between two forces. One is fighting for the restoration of democracy while the other has been keeping on insisting that Musharraf should stay in uniform," Ashraf added.

He alleged that pre-poll rigging had begun across the country and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should take immediate action in this regard.

Ashraf along with Babar Awan met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and complained about pre-poll rigging in various constituencies, the Daily Times reported. (ANI)