ISLAMABAD, May 14: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Chairman, Raja Zafarul Haq, has said the exiled party chief, Nawaz Sharif, is expected to return home much before the October polls and there were no restrictions on his leaving Saudi Arabia.

Talking to this correspondent on Tuesday, Raja spoke on a host of current issues, including his party’s position on proposed constitutional amendments, the ongoing crackdown against religious and sectarian groups, the situation in the Indian-held Kashmir and the reunification of league factions.

He expressed the fear of a serious Indian army move in reprisal to the fresh incidents in Jammu in which some three dozen people had been killed. He cited Indian leadership’s recent statements which were indicative of its intention of taking a limited punitive action in Azad Kashmir.

When quizzed whether the politicians, now out of power, had learnt their lesson and would not repeat the mistakes which had resulted in their fall, the league leader said: “The atmosphere is now changing and there is a wider realization that the political culture must change and improve in terms of inter-party relations, mutual tolerance, better governance and financial integrity.”

On being asked what the status of the constitutional amendments would be, that were being mulled over by Musharraf government, he said: “Just as the amendments announced by Gen Ziaul Haq had been reviewed by the 1985 assembly, any such exercise would be subject to scrutiny and approval of the future elected parliament.”

In his opinion, even after the Supreme Court’s verdict the position on constitutional amendments has not changed. He recalled that Gen Zia had also been given almost similar powers by the then SC, but only 8th amendment was retained by the parliament.

He challenged the notion that President Musharraf will not need endorsement of his election by an elected parliament and recalled that Gen Zia was also elected in a referendum but he had to seek the endorsement of the then assembly.

Talking about the league factions’ reunification efforts, he said: “I have not received any indication from PML (QA) committee for a meeting on the subject and whenever such a thing happens our party will take a position.”

In our belief, no faction or party can enter into an understanding with PML (N) unless it agrees with its stance in totality, that is opposing all acts of Gen Musharraf after October, 1999, he said.

Speaking about the claim of PML(QA) chief Mian Azhar that his party will win more then 70% seats in the coming assembly Raja Zafarul Haq said,”I think he was not serious while making such a claim as he added, he has got much sense of humour”.

Speaking about the claim of PML(QA) chief Mian Azhar that his party will win more than 70 per cent seats in the new assembly, Raja Zafar said: “I think he was not serious when he made that claim.” He added that he (Azhar) “has got much sense of humour.”