April 24, 2006	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 25, 1427

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LAHORE, April 23: Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto, scheduled to meet Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif in London on Monday, has said that the next general elections will not be free and fair if both the former prime ministers are not allowed to return to the country and take part in the process.

Talking to reporters in London after presiding over a meeting of the AJK People’s Party’s parliamentary board on Sunday, she said the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy was not an electoral alliance.

However, she said, seat adjustments between the PPP and the PML-N was possible.

She ruled out cooperation with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, saying that it’s approach on various issues differed from her party.

However, she said, the two alliances could participate in some conference convened for a particular agenda.

Ms Bhutto criticised the rulers for trying to make opposition legislators change loyalties.

“Efforts are being made to introduce a one-party system in the country,” she said.

She claimed that her party was being offered the Sindh government if it joined hands with the PML. The PML-N, on the other hand, was being told that Punjab would be given under its control if it cooperated with the ruling party, she said.

She said efforts were also being made create misunderstandings among members of the ARD but they would not succeed.

The PPP chairperson said the ARD parties would continue their struggle for their declared objectives, ignoring all offers.

Ms Bhutto said she was being pressured not to return to Pakistan, but she was determined to go home as people were waiting for her.

She said it would be good if she and Mr Sharif returned to Pakistan together.

About her scheduled meeting with the PML-N leader, she said various issues would come under discussion. However, she said, another meeting was being scheduled for May, and more meetings would be held later.

She said the PPP and the PML-N had identical views on most of the points of the ‘charter of democracy’. However, talks on certain points were still in progress, she said.

About former AJK prime minister Sultan Mehmud’s decision to quit the AJKPP, Ms Bhutto said it would not affect her party. She said people who changed their loyalties were not liked by the electorate.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told a TV channel that the Sharif-Benazir meeting would yield no results.

He said cooperation between the two parties was not possible as a PML voter would never like to support the PPP.

The minister said the meeting was an attempt by the two sides to enhance each other’s importance.

Answering a question, Mr Rashid said the PPP chairperson was free to come to the country anytime. But, he said, Mr Sharif would be sent to Saudi Arabia in case he tried to return before completing 10 years in exile.

The minister said the PPP chairperson wanted cases pending against her withdrawn but the government would not take such a step.