KARACHI, Jan 30: The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan People’s Party on Wednesday criticised what they called misuse of government resources in the election campaign by PML-Q candidates in Sindh and Punjab and demanded an end to the measures being taken to steal the coming polls.

The two parties expressed their views during a meeting between PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari held here. A 10-member PML-N delegation headed by Shahbaz Sharif had visited the Bilawal House to offer condolences over the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.

Sources said that the two sides discussed the overall political and security situation in the country and US’s support for President Pervez Musharraf, and agreed to work out a joint strategy to counter “machinations” of the government. “The caretaker set-up is in fact an extension of the Musharraf regime,” they said.

They criticised the detention of former chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and other judges and SCBA president Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan and termed it illegal and against constitutional norms. They vowed to support the struggle for the independence of judiciary and supremacy of the Constitution, the sources said.

Mr Zardari accused former Sindh chief minister Dr Arbab Rahim of misusing the government machinery in the election campaign. “He is misusing the government resources just like the Chaudhrys are doing in Punjab,” the PPP leader said.

Despite discussing the elections, neither side talked about any seat adjustment in Hala where PPP leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim is pitched against PML-N candidate Makhdoom Shahnawaz.

Mr Shahbaz said Ms Bhutto was a leader of international stature who had rendered great service for the rule of law and democracy in Pakistan. He said her brutal assassination was a great blow not only to her family and the PPP but also to the country. He said the country was heading towards disaster because of the dictatorial rule.

Mr Zardari thanked the PML-N delegation and said that Ms Bhutto believed that the country could be saved only by the people of Pakistan and not by foreign elements.

PPP vice-chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Sherry Rehman and Dr Babar Awan were present at the meeting.

The PML-N team included former Sindh governor Mamnoon Hussain, former MNA Khawaja Asif, Makhdoom Shahnawaz, Sardar Raheem, Saleem Zia, Tariq Khan and Zahid Rafique Butt.