ISLAMABAD, Aug 4: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has lauded the ‘sacrifice’ rendered by jailed acting president of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Makhdoom Javed Hashmi for the cause of democracy and said the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) will never compromise with the military rulers.

These views were expressed by Ms Bhutto while talking to MNA Maimoona Hashmi, the daughter of Javed Hashmi, in London, said a spokesman for the PML-N here on Thursday. Bushra Hashmi, another daughter of Mr Hashmi, was also present in the meeting.

Ms Bhutto said the ARD would continue its struggle for the restoration of the 1973 Constitution and supremacy of the Parliament. She said the PPP and the PML-N would follow the charter of democracy and not indulge in undemocratic activities to topple each other’s government. She said this was the only way to stop military interventions.

The PPP chairperson said democracy could not be restored in Pakistan until the return of the PPP and the PML-N leadership to the country and release of Javed Hashmi and other political prisoners. She expressed the hope that Javed Hashmi would soon be released with the power of the public.

She said the government had been trying to create a rift within the ranks of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) through a propaganda campaign regarding some deal between the PPP and the regime.

The PPP chairperson paid tributes to Mr Hashmi for writing the book “Haan Main Baghi Hoon”. She also termed Mr Hashmi an asset, not only for the PML-N, but for all the democratic forces of the country as well.

Earlier, Maimoona Hashmi also held a meeting with PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif and discussed the matters relating to the party affairs.

Meanwhile, several important leaders of the PML-N, who are presently in London, have also held separate meetings with party president Shahbaz Sharif. Those currently visiting London are PML-N Secretary-General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, vice-president Mushahidullah Khan, acting parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, MNA Maimoona Hashmi and Mohammad Mehdi.

A source told Dawn that PML-N leader Mohammad Mehdi met Shahbaz Sharif and discussed with him the political situation in the country. Shahbaz Sharif welcomed Mr Mehdi, who had joined the PML-N after quitting the Awami Qayadat Party, in the party-fold and expressed the hope that he would continue the struggle for the restoration of democracy from the party platform.

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has been in London for the past over one month, while the remaining leaders have gone there to attend the launching ceremony of Javed Hashmi’s book. The ceremony held on July 29 in Birmingham was presided over by party president Shahbaz Sharif.

Most of the leaders are expected to return to the country in the second week of August.