ISLAMABAD: Top leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) has asked President General Pervez Musharraf not to give safe passage to Ms Benazir Bhutto through the National Reconciliation Ordinance, and to continue pursuing cases against her in foreign countries.
The PML leadership gathered at the Prime Minister’s House here Wednesday evening at a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for President Musharraf. The PML-Q leaders informally discussed matters of national importance with President and reviewed the overall political situation in the country.
Earlier in the evening Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, President Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi held a meeting with President Musharraf at Aiwan-e-Sadr to discuss the caretaker setup for holding the upcoming general elections. The discussion continued at the dinner as well. The policy group of the PML also held a meeting earlier on under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
According to sources, during informal meeting at the dinner, top leadership of the PML-Q asked the President to continue pursuing cases against Benazir Bhutto in foreign countries. Some also raised the issue of allowing Nawaz Sharif to return prior to general elections so that all political parties have level playing field during the general elections.
Meanwhile, during the meeting of the Policy Planning Group, the party reiterated its full support for President Musharraf and congratulated him on securing support from all the four provinces in the presidential election.
The group further stressed that the democratic process must not be disturbed at any cost and transition of power must be ensured in a peaceful manner. Addressing the meeting the Prime Minister said that PML-Q has the best candidates for every constituency and it would contest the forthcoming elections with confidence and determination to obtain a clear mandate.
The Prime Minister and the PML President briefed the meeting about their recent visit to Karachi.
The Prime Minister said that the code of conduct proposed by the Election Commission and the security code prepared by the Interior Ministry are meant to ensure peace and security before, during and after the elections. The people, he said, are the best judge to evaluate the performance of the leaders as well as their programme for the future. He said the manifesto of the PML-Q would reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said that PML Parliamentary Board would be formed next week to award party tickets for National and Provincial Assembly seats in all parts of the country.
