04 December 2004	Saturday	21 Shawwal 1425

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ISLAMABAD Dec 3: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) on Friday briefed Islamabad-based diplomats of a number of countries about the current political situation in Pakistan.

Reiterating Pakistan's stand on Kashmir they were informed that Kashmir was an internationally recognized dispute. Pakistan desired to resolve it by moving all international forums in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir whereas India wanted to maintain its current status.

Reports of any deal between PPP and the government attached to the release of Benazir Bhutto's spouse Asif Ali Zardari was emphatically denied. The PML secretary-general, Mushahid Hussain Syed, and Minister of State Tariq Azim provided the main briefing.

The envoys were informed that cases already registered against Mr Zardari had not been withdrawn and his release was ordered by the court. A former information minister and the party's additional secretary general, Nisar A. Memon, briefed the envoys on the recent elections for the legislative council and the new administration in the Northern Areas.

The envoys from European, Asian and African countries were informed about the government's strenuous efforts to create a broad national consensus on the National Finance Commission, issues concerning Balochistan, the Tribal Areas, devolution of power and provincial autonomy.

They were also briefed on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's recent visit to Saarc countries, including India, and described it a great success as it had given opportunity of ensuring strengthening of cooperation among the regional states.

Those who attended the briefing included envoys from the US, Britain, France, Denmark, Japan, China, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, Nepal, Jordan, Algeria, Hungary, Sweden and Switzerland.

They were told that all political forces were being engaged to strengthen the political system by leaving the path of confrontation. They were further told that there was a strong opposition in the parliament while the ruling PML and coalition government led by it was working to take the opposition forces along on all national issues.

While the religious alliance Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) was in power in two of the four provinces the PML's central government never interfered in their internal affairs and had ensured continued and equitable release of development funds to all provinces without entertaining political considerateness.

The diplomats were also informed that the opposition members of the parliament were given representation in various delegations for foreign visits and the opposition was also free to hold public rallies in any part of the country.