LAHORE, March 27: The PML-N central working committee in a meeting in London has authorised Mian Nawaz Sharif to take a decision about party legislators’ resignations from assemblies to mount pressure on the rulers.

However, before going for this option, the party will mobilize people and create a situation where resignations could produce desired results. Party sources said that other opposition parties would be consulted before taking such an important decision.

The CWC members were of the view that free and fair elections were not possible as long as Gen Musharraf was holding the office of the president. However, a decision on whether the party will boycott the polls if Gen Musharraf does not quit will be taken in consultation with other opposition parties.

The party hoped that a Charter of Democracy being discussed by the PML-N and the PPP would be finalized during a meeting between a PPP delegation and Mian Nawaz Sharif in London.

MMA President Qazi Husain Ahmed was criticized by some members for his interview in which he had alleged that Osama bin Laden wanted to see Mr Sharif prime minister of Pakistan in 1988 even if he had to buy votes of legislators. They were of the view that the MMA leader had made such a statement at a time when government agencies were also engaged in character-assassination of the PML-N leadership. According to the sources, some members said that Qazi Husain Ahmed should be asked to explain his position.

However, Mr Sharif said he would like all opposition forces to form a grand alliance against the dictatorship. He said anyone who failed to play his role in the struggle for democracy would be exposed.

The source said that the CWC was in favour of the party playing a role to bring about a “democratic revolution” in the country. When asked to explain what the democratic revolution meant, the source said: “Bringing an end to military intervention in politics for good”.

Mr Sharif assured the CWC members that he would return to Pakistan before the next elections. However, the schedule of his return would be announced later.

There was consensus among the participants that the party should not compromise on its principles and take its struggle against the dictatorship to its logical conclusion.

Some of the participants alleged that military and civil officials transgressed their limits by torturing or harassing political leaders. These officials, they said, could also indulge in rigging in the next elections.

The CWC hoped that the officials would work within the limits set by the law and if not, they would be held accountable whenever the PML-N came to power.

Mr Sharif appointed Mr Ahsan Iqbal as media adviser. He will also continue to function as chief organizer.

Mr Siddiqul Farooq, the information secretary, was appointed joint secretary.

Meanwhile, an ARD meeting will be held in London in June.

PML-N secretary general Iqbal Zafar Jhagra said Nawaz Sharif was in close touch with Benazir Bhutto and the MMA leadership. He said the ARD meeting would be followed by an all-parties conference.