LAHORE, March 28: While there is no official acknowledgement of the referendum move, President Gen Pervez Musharraf is continuing his campaign, holding meetings with political leaders and seeking their support.

So far all major political parties and alliances have opposed the referendum. Even the Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam), considered to be a pro-government party, has reportedly advised the president not to hold a referendum now since the time is not right for the purpose.

On Wednesday, the president held a meeting with a four-member delegation of the Awami National Party and sought its support for the plan. Citing consistent past policy, the ANP team immediately refused its support for the “extra-constitutional” step.

Party sources said the team requested the president to adopt constitutional methods if he wanted to formalize his rule as president for next five years.

The delegation comprised party’s president Isfandyar Wali Khan, senior vice-president Ehsan Wyne, secretary general Dr Enayatullah and NWFP chief Begum Nasim Wali Khan.

Party courses told Dawn here on Thursday that the ANP team had informed the general there had never been two opinions on the issue in the party. Politically, he was further informed, it was not expedient for the party to extend its cooperation for the extra-constitutional step since it had been opposing such moves in the past.

Sources said the team had also discussed with the president powers of the Senate, the university degree requirement for candidates and “genuine” problems of doctors in the NWFP during the meeting which lasted for about two hours.

The delegation asked the government to increase the number of seats in the Senate and grant the upper house more powers so that the smaller provinces should have a greater say in state affairs. He was also urged to ensure provincial autonomy provided in the 1973 constitution.

The ANP demanded that the academic qualification for contesting general elections should be dropped. It said due to low literacy rate among womenfolk, especially in the NWFP and Balochistan, it would be difficult for the parties to find suitable candidates to fill even the reserved seats.

The delegation also asked the president to review the ban on private practice by doctors serving in government institutions. It said the ban was not in public interest. Many private hospitals and laboratories, it said, had been sealed on the charge of violating the ban. “The patients are suffering for they have to pay Rs2,000 for a test which was earlier cost them Rs500 to Rs700.” The president assured the delegation that he would look into all these issues.

Meanwhile, the ANP has convened meetings of its central working committee and the national council on April 12 and April 13, respectively, in Peshawar to discuss election strategy and other issues.

The council meets once a year and the working committee in three months.