October 31, 2007	Wednesday	Shawwal 18, 1428

LAHORE, Oct 30: The Pakistan People’s Party will accommodate its allies in the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) in the upcoming general elections in recognition of the role they played in the struggle for a representative system over the past seven years, coalition’s chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim said on Tuesday.

He told Dawn that some ARD components had sent their “recommendations” for tickets on various seats and the matter would be discussed at the next meeting of the alliance.

Although no date has been set for the purpose, Mr Fahim said it would be held after the Supreme Court’s verdict on petitions challenging the eligibility of President Musharraf for another term in the office.

Mr Fahim said for the time being everybody was waiting for the apex court’s decision which could change the course of events in the country. He said the PPP would devise its future strategy in the light of the verdict.

The ARD chairman said the government should not delay the elections on the pretext of the deteriorating law and order situation.

Head of an ARD component, who did not like to be identified, said the PPP had assured its allies that their “strong candidates” would be accommodated and parties which did not have strong candidates could be given representation in the caretaker setup at the national and provincial levels.

Mr Fahim said talks between his party and the government on the caretaker setup would be resumed after the Supreme Court’s judgment.

It is said that nominees of the Islamic Democratic Front led by Munir Gilani, Shia Political Party of Pir Nau Behar Shah, All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, Muttahida Ulem Forum and some other parties could be given PPP tickets for the elections.

A central PPP leader said on condition of anonymity that the party was the biggest political organisation which had several candidates available for every seat. Therefore, he said, ARD components would be accommodated only on seats where the PPP did not have strong candidates.

He said there were some districts in Punjab where the party position was not as strong as in other areas. In such districts, he said, the ARD leaders interested in contesting polls would be given PPP tickets.

He said it was not possible for the party to ignore its own members and award tickets to ARD parties.