LAHORE, May 14: A meeting of the heads of parties in the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy has been convened for May 19 to review progress in the government-opposition talks on the Legal Framework Order (LFO) and decide the coalition’s future course of action.

An announcement in this regard was made by ARD chief Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan here on Wednesday.

The meeting was earlier slated for May 17, but has to be delayed because the constitutional committee comprising the government and opposition representatives needs more time to finalize its recommendations.

Two important components of the ARD, the PPP-Parliamentarians and the PML-N, are taking part in the talks the government is holding to settle differences on the package of constitutional amendments which gives cover to all steps taken by Gen Musharraf during his three-year rule in addition to extending his term as president by another five years.

The Nawabzada set the new date in consultation with leaders of other parties, including alliance secretary-general Iqbal Zafar Jhagra.

The ARD chief said it was wrong to suggest that by contesting the general election, the alliance components had accepted the constitutionality of the Legal Framework Order.

He recalled that even the Quaid-i-Azam had contested elections sponsored by the Raj. His participation in the electoral process did not mean that the Quaid had accepted the Raj.

Similarly, the ARD chief said, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah had contested the elections against Gen Ayub Khan under the very rules set by the then president. She had participated in the process with the commitment that, if elected, she would wind up the system given by the military dictator.

He said when they could contest elections under the rules of the game set by their rivals, the ARD parties had committed no offence by taking part in the polls.

The Nawabzada strongly condemned the maltreatment of the MQM-H leaders in Karachi.

He alleged that they were being victimized by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement who were now part of the Sindh government.