26 January 2005	Wednesday	15 Zilhaj 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 25: Exiled chief of Pakistan Muslim League-N Mian Nawaz Sharif and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal president Qazi Hussain Ahmed held talks in Jeddah on Tuesday and agreed to launch a movement to oust the government.

In the meeting, which continued for about two hours, the chiefs of the PML-N and the MMA called for unity of all opposition parties on a one-point agenda of ousting the government.

Acting parliamentary leader of the PML-N in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, was present in the meeting which was held at the Jeddah residence of the former prime minister.

The leaders were of the view that the situation in the country required all patriotic opposition politicians even those outside the ARD and the MMA, to unite on a one-point agenda of ousting the government which was essential for safeguarding national interests and the country's future. They decided to contact leaders of other opposition groups in this regard.

Sources in the PML-N said that Mr Sharif expressed displeasure over MMA's decision to support the government for the passage of the 17th Amendment in parliament and said that the ARD wanted to join hands with the MMA in the anti-Musharraf movement but had been reluctant to do so because of past experiences.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed told Mr Sharif that Gen Pervez Musharraf went back on all promises he had made with the MMA. Both the leaders termed the country's present internal and external situation as extremely alarming and held the Musharraf government responsible for it.

They were of the view that the present situation in the country was the outcome of the Musharraf regime's detrimental policies and arrogant attitude and measures needed to be taken to stop the country from sliding down further.

They declared the country's economic situation as discouraging and expressed concern over price hike, increasing unemployment and rise in the number of suicides due to joblessness and poverty.

They also expressed concern over the Balochistan situation and criticized the government for deploying troops against the people of Pakistan. They observed that the law and order situation in the country was worse than ever and the writ of the government existed nowhere.