ISLAMABAD, May 8: Leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League(N) on Monday briefed senior diplomats from eight countries on salient features of the charter of democracy to be signed by former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in their London meeting on May 14. The briefing to the diplomats from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, Italy and Australia was given by PML(N) chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, secretary general Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and coordinator of the party’s foreign liaison office Mohammad Mehdi.

According to sources in the party, the PML(N) leaders told the diplomats that at present there was a sham democracy in the country and free and fair polls were a must for restoration of genuine democracy.

They told the diplomats that the proposed charter of democracy outlined future strategy to be adopted by the leadership of the PML(N) and the PPP in order to strengthen democracy and ensure good governance in Pakistan.

The PML(N) leaders said that after signing the charter, the two parties would be bound to cooperate with each other in amending the constitution to bring it to pre-October 12, 1999 position.

Through the charter, the PML(N) leaders said, the two parties would make a commitment that they would never seek military intervention in politics and continue their struggle to end the army’s role from politics on a permanent basis.

Besides this, the PML(N) leaders stressed the need for setting up an independent election commission and a neutral caretaker set-up with consensus of all political parties to ensure free, fair and transparent polls in the country.

They drew the attention of the diplomats to various statements of Gen Musharraf that Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif would not be allowed to take part in the next elections. “If our leaders are not allowed to contest the elections, then this act of the government will be considered pre-poll rigging,” the PML(N) leaders told the diplomats.

Moreover, they said, the people of Pakistan would not accept the results of elections if held without participation of Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif.

The diplomats asked various questions on different constitutional matters.