October 10, 2006	Tuesday	Ramazan 16, 1427

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LAHORE, Oct 9: MMA leader Liaquat Baloch called on PPP vice-president and the National Assembly’s former speaker Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani at the latter’s residence on Monday and urged him to play a role in the formation of a broad-based opposition alliance.

In response to Baloch’s urging, Mr Gilani referred to a statement made by ARD chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim on the subject, and said any decision about the future course of action would be taken by the ‘joint opposition’.

The matter, Gilani said, would also come under discussion at a meeting between the two former prime ministers of the country expected to be held in London.

MMA leader Hafiz Husain Ahmad also phoned Mr Gilani and underlined the need for cooperation between the opposition parties.

Mr Gilani gave details of his meeting with Mr Baloch and telephonic conversation with Hafiz Husain Ahmad at an Iftar party at the Bilawal House organised on behalf of Ms Bhutto and Mr Zardari for workers.

Secretary-general Jehangir Badr, Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas, Haji Azizur Rahman Chan, Munir Ahmad Khan, Samiullah Khan, Zakariya Butt, Mian Ayub and many others were present.

The former speaker said when he was in prison, some people belonging to the government told him that Ms Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif had no political future, and he would be wasting his time by staying in jail for them. However, he said, he told such people that both the former premiers were political reality, no matter whether they returned home or not.

He said he also made it clear that the PPP would never like to come to power through backdoors.

Urging the PPP leaders to face hardships bravely, Mr Gilani said in case they gave in to pressures, a very negative message would reach the party workers.

Jehangir Badr said the party pledged to continue its struggle for democracy. He said the party had defeated internal as well as external intriguers to sustain its struggle. He ruled out any deal with the government or compromise on principles.

Meanwhile, a PPP delegation comprising Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan, Samiullah Khan, Malik Asghar Ali Qaiser, Ehsanul Haq Naulatia and others called on Mr Gilani to congratulate him on his release.