October 12, 2006	Thursday	Ramazan 18, 1427

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LAHORE, Oct 11: Former NA speaker Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani says the PPP wants transfer of power to people, and it is trying to create an atmosphere for the purpose.

“Removal or no removal of anyone from power makes no difference for the party or its struggle,” Mr Gilani said while talking to reporters at an Iftar party hosted by a party leader, Malik Javed Shahbaz Heera, on Wednesday.

Released by a court on bail a few days ago, Gilani called for the establishment of an interim government of national consensus and an independent election commission to ensure free and transparent general elections.

He said when the president was asked by foreign countries to guarantee that the 2007 elections would be open and transparent, it implied that the polls held in 2002 did not come up to these standards.

He said it was regrettable that Gen Musharraf was openly calling for votes to his supporters.

He dismissed as disinformation reports that a deal was being negotiated by the PPP and the government.

Asked when in his opinion should Ms Bhutto come back to Pakistan, he said: “Immediately after the announcement of the election schedule.”

He told a questioner that elections in the presence of a uniformed president and the existing setup would be doubtful. However, he said, the joint opposition would take a decision on whether to take part in such elections.

Meanwhile, former caretaker prime minister Mir Balakh Sher Mazari and PPP leader Khalid Kharl called on the former speaker on Wednesday and congratulated him on his release.

Mr Mazari also discussed with Mr Gilani the situation in Balochistan, specially after the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, and said all political forces should be taken along to restore normalcy to the country’s largest province.