November 7, 2002	Thursday	Ramazan 1,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 6: Politicians have to give concessions to the military regime for early transition to democracy, the PPP leader, Faisal Saleh Hayat, said on Wednesday.

Talking to reporters here at the accountability court after his one hour meeting with Asif Ali Zardari, Mr Hayat said rigidity on the part of political parties or alliances would serve no purpose as the real issue was the formation of the government and any delay would prove detrimental to the future of democracy in the country.

He also called for holding early session of the National Assembly, saying delay was not in the national interest.

He brushed aside the impression that he was an active member of a forward block, saying he was not afraid of anyone and could have formed the block till now if he wanted to.

Mr Zardari supported Mr Hayat’s point of view regarding the forward block in the party, and said Mr Hayat had been associated with the party for the last 27 years, and if he left it, he would have no future.

In addition to Mr Hayat, Asif Zardari also met Sangeen Wali, Wali Khan’s son, former commerce minister Ahmad Mukhtar, Raja Pervez Ashraf, former IB chief Masood Sharif, Mohammad Imtiaz, Azizullah Sheikh and Qazi Sultan.

The premises of the accountability court had become a hub of political activity as a large number of political workers, leaders and politicians called on Mr Zardari.

Meanwhile, Faisal Saleh Hayat said politicians should realize the sensitivity of the present situation and should sit together to form a government of national consensus otherwise history would repeat itself in the shape of in-house conspiracies and no stable government would be formed to serve the nation.

We should remember that we have to revert back to the civilian setup, and in the process it is not necessary that we come to an ideal system of democracy, he said.

It was the responsibility of every political party to shun prejudices and cooperate with each other to strengthen the democratic system, he added.

Mr Hayat said the PPP was a progressive and liberal party and had always played a positive role in the national arena.