March, 15 2005	Tuesday	04 Safar 1426

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LONDON, March 14: The leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League (N) who met here on Sunday agreed to stand united in their struggle for free, fair and impartial elections and to promote politics of tolerance and respect for the rule of law.

Following a meeting between former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and president of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday night, leaders also agreed not to allow any force to derail democracy once fresh elections were held in the country.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Sharif said: “I told Ms Bhutto that political leaders should pledge never to go to the GHQ and seek help of the army to subvert democracy in the country.”

“We should not allow democracy to be derailed and let any party which has a majority to serve its full five-year term,” he asserted.

Mr Sharif said that both leaders also discussed the possibility of providing the army an exit strategy to hand over all powers to the civilian leadership.