01 May 2004	Saturday	10 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, April 30: Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim has said that the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has not yet informed other component parties of the alliance about the final programme and date of Shahbaz Sharif's possible return to the country.

Talking to Dawn here on Friday, Mr Fahim said that he had held a meeting with ARD secretary-general and PML-N leader Iqbal Zafar Jhagra on Thursday, but he (Mr Jhagra) did not mention the date on which Mr Sharif would return to Pakistan.

When asked if the PPP would give a warm welcome to Mr Sharif on his return, he said a meeting of the heads of ARD component parties had been convened in Lahore on Sunday to finalize a plan.

Explaining the party position, Mr Fahim, said the PPP welcomed the decision of Mr Sharif to return home. He said it was a basic right of every citizen to come to his own country any time.

He said it was premature to say anything about the party strategy as it would be decided when the PML-N would take the PPP and other ARD component parties into confidence regarding the final date and programme of their party president's return to the country.