PESHAWAR, Nov 13: Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Ben-azir Bhutto and Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Nawaz Sharif separately called Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan on Tuesday and discussed the current political situation.

According ANP information secretary Zahid Khan, the leaders stressed the need for launching a joint struggle for the restoration of democracy.

They agreed to rid the country of the military regime which was the main cause of the present polarisation and violence in Pakistan.

He said the ANP chief, who has been in detention at his Charsadda residence since the imposition of emergency, had made it clear to Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif that if all political forces did not agree on a common political programme the crisis would worsen.

He appealed to all political parties to sit together and chalk out a joint programme against the dictator who had suspended the Constitution and attacked the judiciary and media. He said that unity was necessary for a successful movement against anti-people and undemocratic government.

Zahid Khan said the three leaders condemned the use of force ag-ainst peaceful demonstrators and arrest of political workers in different parts of the country saying the government was afraid of its people who had been demanding restoration of democracy, reinstatement of deposed judges and lifting of ban on private TV channels.

The leaders agreed that the political struggle for the basic rights of the people and movement against the growing menace of terrorism and extremism would continue.