LAHORE, April 23: Pakistan People’s Party leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim has said that the ARD had been set up for the restoration of democracy and the 1973 Constitution and the PPP’s talks with the establishment are for these very goals. However, a final decision will be taken from the ARD’s platform.
Talking to reporters at the residence of Nawabzada Mansoor Khan on Saturday, he said: “We are trying to give the army an honourable exit”.
He rejected reports that there were differences in the PPP on the issue of talks with the establishment.
He said there was difference between talks and conciliation and the two should not be confused. So far, he said, there was no conciliation and the PPP would take the parties in the ARD along as and when there was some outcome of the talks.
A reporter pointed out that PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif was opposed to talks with the present rulers unless Gen Musharraf took off his uniform, restored the 1973 Constitution in its pre-takeover shape and an independent election commission was constituted for free and fair elections.
The ARD chairman said the alliance had been formed for the restoration of democracy and the 1973 Constitution and that the PPP’s talks were being held in the same parameters.
He said he had discussed the matter with PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq and further talks would be held at the ARD meeting to be held in about a week.
Before the press talk, the ARD leader held talks with Nawabzana Mansoor Khan, Qazi Abdul Qadeer Khamosh, Pir Nau Behar Shah, Syed Manzoor Ali Gilani, Munir Gilani, Saifulla Saifand Nawaz Gondal.
No PML-N leader turned up at the informal meeting at the PDP House.
Punjab PPP Information Secretary Naveed Chaudhry was also present when Mr Amin Fahim was answering questions.
Asked if it was possible for the PPP to accept Gen Musharraf as president, Mr Fahim said it was premature to say anything on the subject. He made it clear in the 1973 Constitution there was no room for a president-in-uniform.
