LAHORE, Dec 22: While the all-party conference is only four days away, the PPP, one of the major components of the ARD, is yet to inform Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan about its decision on participating in the APC.

However, the conference will be held on schedule no matter whether the PPP decides to participate or stay away, sources close to the Nawabzada say.

PPP sources said on Saturday that it would take the party a couple of days before taking a decision. “We received invitation only today (Saturday). We have to consult party leaders in all provinces before deciding whether to participate or not”, the sources told Dawn.

“It’s a little difficult to say (at this stage) which way the final decision will go”, the sources said.

The sources said the party was also looking at who else would be among the participants.

“If the party decides to take part in the APC, it means our reservations have come to an end. But if we decide to abstain, we’ll give our reasons”.

As for the agenda of the APC, the sources said the PPP had been supporting it from the ARD’s platform. The PPP, they said, fully supported the demand for the elections under the supervision of an interim government of a national consensus and an independent and powerful election commission. But, they said, a decision on participating in the APC would be taken keeping in sight all pros and cons of the issue.

It is said that some parties invited to the APC are of the opinion that the participants should also demand the establishment of interim governments in provinces to ensure free and fair elections.

Meanwhile, the sources close to the ARD president say that the agenda will remain unchanged although India’s decision to recall its high commissioner and sever bus and rail links with Pakistan has brought about a qualitative change in the situation.

However, they say that the participants may decide to adopt a resolution on the subject.

Over three dozen invitations have been issued to various political parties, religious and social organizations and bar leaders.

The Awami National Party, which had left the ARD a few weeks ago on account of differences on the Afghan policy, and the MQM (Haqiqi) have also been invited.

There is little possibility of the PML-QA being extended an invitation because of its support to the present government. However, knowledgeable sources say that the party could be invited only if it supported the agenda.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the PONM and the JSQM which think the 1973 Constitution is no longer relevant, and parties having a soft corner for the government will also not be invited.

The Millat Party of Sardar Farooq Leghari is also not being invited because of its stand on various issues. “The Nawabzada has first been trying to oust Nawaz Sharif and now that he is no longer on the scene, he wants to have the same deposed prime minister back to power”, a Millat Party leader alleged while criticizing the change in the senior leader’s stand.