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| 08 December 2004 | Wednesday | 25 Shawwal 1425 |
PML-N seeks all-party talks for fresh polls
ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz group) has asked Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to convene a roundtable conference of all political parties to discuss the formation of a caretaker set-up for general elections in the country.
Speaking at a news conference here on Tuesday, PML-N's information secretary Siddiqul Farooque said the setting up of an independent election commission and the mechanism for what he termed real transfer of power to elected representatives should be finalized with consensus.
The PML-N leader was responding to a question regarding Prime Minister Aziz's offer to the opposition for talks. He said talks with the government were possible only if it admitted its "incompetence and failure" and asked political parties to provide a safe exit to the army.
He said the nation would not forgive any individual or political party talking to the government for limited objectives. He said Gen Pervez Musharraf through his broken promises had already 'deceived' the people.
He expressed the confidence that this time around, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal would not be deceived by Gen Musharraf. Mr Farooque said the possibility of a joint movement by the MMA and the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy could not be ruled out after Dec 31, to restore the supremacy of the constitution and to "get rid of Gen Musharraf".
Commenting on reports of condolence phone calls and the government's reported contacts with political leaders, he said Gen Musharraf was trying "war tactics" and spreading rumours to create distrust among people about political parties and leaders.
"It is only a gimmick with an aim to foil the public movement before its launch," he added. He said the government knew that it had been exposed, and it should also know that such tactics would not deceive anyone.
He said it was a testing time for political leaders as well. "If any leader committed an error this time, he will not only harm himself, but also cause irreparable damage to national interests," he added. Moreover, he said, any delay in the restoration of constitution would lead to grave consequences.
He said parliament had become a rubber stamp body and its legislations and support for Gen Musharraf had no value. He said the nation now stood united against the ruling group because of its "failures and betrayal of national interests" and all it needed was a spark to trigger a conflagration in the country.
Mr Farooque warned the government that if they had any regard for their personal well-being and for the interests of the nation and the armed forces, they should not delay in seeking a safe passage. He termed the reports of a PPP-government deal part of a propaganda campaign.
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