March, 24 2005	Thursday	13 Safar 1426

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LAHORE, March 23: The ARD’s future relationship with the MMA depends upon the outcome of the PPP’s reported talks with the government and things will start taking some shape during the next two weeks, ARD secretary-general said here on Wednesday. Talking to newsmen here on Wednesday, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra said that the ARD and the MMA had consensus on several points. But, he said, cooperation between the two groupings depended on the results of talks currently going on between the PPP and the rulers.

He pointed out that when PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto had called on Mian Nawaz Sharif in Jeddah, the latter had told her that anyone striking a deal with the government at the cost of principles would be a loser.

Mr Nawaz, he said, had also said that he would not change his stand on the restoration of the 1973 Constitution in its pre-coup form and had stressed the need for fresh elections under the supervision of an independent election commission.

Mr Jhagra said the PPP would take any decision in consultations with the ARD.