ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Monday discussed the political situation in the country with reference to the coming general election with Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf chairman Imran Khan.
The three leaders called on the Turkish president separately and informed him about their stance on the imposition of emergency and the election.
Ms Bhutto reiterated her desire for free and fair election. She emphasised that smooth transition to democracy from dictatorship was essential and that the national would remain mired in tension without transparent election.
President Gul reiterated the importance of stability in the region and Pakistan’s role in it.
He conveyed to the PPP chairperson the happiness of the Turkish people on her return to Pakistan and participation in the political process.
Mr Sharif called on the Turkish president with PML(N) leaders Makhdoom Javed Hashmi and Raja Zafarul Haq.
They told the President Gul that their party believed that free and fair election was not possible under the Musharraf regime.
The PTI chief told the visiting president that his party’s decision to boycott the Jan 8 election was based on principles.
“I informed the Turkish president that Pakistan’s judiciary has been destroyed by President Pervez Musharraf as over 60 judges of the superior courts were dismissed under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) and under these circumstances there is no point in contesting the elections,” he told Dawn.
He said the judges had been put under house arrest and lawyers who were fighting for the rule of law and democracy were being tortured and jailed.
Mr Khan denied that Mr Gul had asked him not to boycott the election.
He said Turkey was a modern Islamic state and Pakistan should follow the model instead of toeing the American line in every matter.
