ISLAMABAD, Feb 15: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) has decided to hold its next meeting in Dera Bugti on February 25 and a public meeting in Lahore on March 23 to mobilize the masses for its campaign against the government.

This was announced by ARD chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim who was briefing reporters after a meeting of the alliance here on Tuesday. Mr Fahim, who was accompanied by PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq and ARD secretary-general Zafar Iqbal Jhagra, said the meeting had expressed serious concern over the situation in Balochistan and decided to go to the province to express solidarity with the people there.

He said Nawab Akbar Bugti would host the next ARD meeting. Responding to a question, Mr Fahim said the alliance was ready to cooperate with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) provided its leadership allayed ARD's reservations on certain issues.

He said the ARD had already constituted a team to study the possibility of cooperation with the MMA. "We are here waiting for them (the MMA leaders). If they want cooperation, I invite them to hold talks with us right now," Mr Fahim said.

He said the PML-N had clarified its position regarding the party's recent contacts with the MMA leadership. Claiming that there were no differences between the PPP and the PML-N, he said the two parties would continue their struggle for 'restoration of the constitution and parliament's sovereignty'.

Answering a question, Mr Fahim said that the PPP had been in contact with the government from time to time. But, he added, the talks were based on principles of democracy and any decision would be taken only at the ARD level.

"The nation will also be informed if anything materializes." He said the ARD wanted fresh elections under the supervision of 'an independent election commission' and talks could be held on this issue any time.

At this point, PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq said his party had not been in contact with the government at any level. "The only contact we have with the government is through the agencies people who chase us," he added.

Mr Fahim dismissed as wrong a perception that the opposition parties were reluctant to launching an anti-government movement or had failed to mobilize the masses. He said the political parties had to consider many factors before taking a decision and, therefore, the process was slow.

In response to a question, PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq said the marriage of Shahbaz Sharif and Tehmina Durrani had nothing to do with politics. However, it had not been appreciated by the party leadership, he added.

Earlier, the ARD leaders welcomed the recent meeting between Mian Nawaz Sharif and Ms Benazir Bhutto in Jeddah and termed it a milestone in the political history of the country.

They expressed concern over a decision of the Commonwealth to let General Pervez Musharraf retain his uniform till 2007. The ARD leadership paid tribute to services of PML-N leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi for the cause of democracy. The meeting also expressed concern over price-hike, unemployment and lawlessness in the country.