May 23, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 10,1423

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ISLAMABAD, May 22: Millat Party Chief Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari made on Wednesday a last-ditch effort in vain to persuade Jamaat-i-Islami Chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed to attend the politicians’ conference convened at the president’s house.

Accompanied by his party’s and National Alliance Secretary -General Mohammad Ali Durrani, Mr Leghari drove to the residence of Mr Ahmed to hold a brief meeting before both spoke at a joint news conference.

JI Deputy Chief Prof Khursheed Ahmed, Secretary-General Syed Munawar Hasan and the member in charge of foreign affairs, Abdul Ghaffar Aziz, were also present at the meeting.

The chiefs of the both the parties stressed the need for mobilizing the people to get united behind the armed forces to face the imminent threat from India.

They were also unanimous in demanding of the government to take all necessary steps to hold free, fair and transparent general election according to the schedule.

The JI chief said, “We are fully aware of the developments and need no briefing as we also know that only we —the religio-political leadership —have to mobilize and motivate the people to get united in support of the armed forces.”

He remarked that the concentration of powers of president, chief executive and chief of the army staff in one person was dangerous for the country, and if Gen Musharraf was sincere with the nation, he must take steps to strengthen national institutions instead of his own power base.