May 17, 2002	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 4, 1423

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ISLAMABAD May 16: The information secretary of PML(N) Siddiqul Farooq has claimed that Gen Musharraf, after the referendum fiasco, was working on a ‘face-saving exit’; Sardar Qayum’s recent meetings with Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto as his emissary were in that direction.

He said, “Nawaz Sharif talked to party secretary-general Saranjam Khan by telephone today (Thursday) in Peshawar and expressed his readiness to fly home any day, any moment”.

He claimed things were changing fast as the general had lost the confidence of American and western allies by indulging in ‘rigged’ referendum.

Talking to Dawn on Thursday, Farooq said, his party and other democratic forces in the ARD and APC would like the October polls to be held according to plan.

He claimed that Nawaz Sharif received a message to show some flexibility towards the military regime so that matters could be settled amicably.

It therefore will try to keep the sentiments of the Lahore APC (May 19) in control and avoid a direct clash with the military regime; this could halt the restoration of democracy process.

Farooq said it is a popular demand and the desire of all democratic parties including PML(N), PPP, MMA, and others that free and fair elections are held under an independent election commission.

He claimed that Gen Musharraf had taken the risk of his lifetime by going for a referendum despite being told by the agencies that he would not get more than 3 to 5 per cent votes.

Farooq lauded the role played by the national and internal media in exposing the farce.