ISLAMABAD, Aug 29: Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had made “indirect” contacts with the government for negotiations on the LFO, and Islamabad was considering the offer as the government-MMA talks had a “fifty-fifty” chance of success.

But PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the party had not made any contact with the government. “But if the government has contacted Ms Benazir Bhutto directly, it is not in my knowledge.” The party is ready for talks on the LFO from the ARD platform as was already announced by Ms Bhutto, he said.

Speaking to newsmen in his chamber at the National Assembly, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said it was too early to predict as to what would be the outcome of the initiative.

The talks with the MMA are continuing, but “some elements are trying to de-stabilize the system”, he said, adding that he would not name the MMA or the PPP, but “there are some other elements who are striving to weaken the democratic process”.

The minister said the six-party alliance was being manipulated by some elements.

The NSC and 58(2)(B) were no longer contentious issues, but there were nine other articles of the LFO on which the dialogue was under way, he said.

The minister said President Gen Musharraf had already shown “great flexibility” on the clauses relating to him. The president had also stated that parliament would complete its constitutional term, the minister said.