KARACHI, June 16: Secretary general of the Pakistan People’s Party, Jehangir Badar, on Monday declared that those who had defected were no more members of the party.

Addressing a news conference at the Karachi Press Club, Mr Badar said that the party’s legal committee was preparing the case for further action against them. However, he added, “for all practical purposes they (the Patriots) are not with the party.”

To a question, he said that the PPP chairperson, Ms Benazir Bhutto would return home at an appropriate time, which would be decided by the central executive committee of the party.

He said that PPP had always been struggling for the rights of people and supremacy of the constitution. He said that the return of Ms Bhutto would give a decisive boost to this struggle against the undemocratic forces.

He emphasised on the philosophy of “live and let live” to protect Pakistan from sliding into further chaos and said that those matters on which a national consensus had been reached should not be reopened. In this context, he mentioned the 1973 constitution, which was the result of a national consensus.

He also asked the government not to be adamant on its present stand on the Legal Framework Order and other issues. He said democracy was the art of resolving contentious matters.

On the question about Gen Musharraf’s uniform, he said that the PPP would go by the constitution.

Meanwhile, he called for the release of Mr Asif Zardari. He also supported the demand of newspaper workers for the implementation of wage award.