LAHORE, July 15: The PML(N) wants that the ARD parties should take a collective decision on whether or not to take part in the elections.

Party’s central leader Syed Zafar Ali Shah told reporters here on Monday that individual decisions by the ARD components would not be in anybody’s interest.

He said his party was open to both options: contesting the elections as well as boycotting them.

Mr Shah said the PML(N) was in favour of converting the ARD into an election alliance so that the pro-government forces may be defeated in the October general elections.

He said his party was also prepared to form electoral alliance with the PPP.

He said his party wanted that the PML(N) and the PPP should adopt a clear policy and one should not dodge the other, as has been happening in the past.

The PML(N), he said, was also ready to contest the elections against the PPP if the latter was not in favour of forming an election alliance.

Mr Shah said it would be unfortunate if the PPP tried to strike a deal with the government, keeping the PML(N) in dark.

The ARD had not taken a firm decision about participation in or abstention from the general elections in its Sunday meeting. The alliance is expected to decide the matter on July 27 in its Karachi meeting.