QUETTA, Jan 5: Former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali has said that any deal between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League and the Pakistan People’s Party will be in the larger interest of the nation and the country.

He said that as a result of the deal the PML and the PPP would form a joint government after the elections.

Talking to newsmen in his native town Rojhan Jamali on Friday, he said that the 2007 year would be the year of elections and all political parties would take part in it.

“No party will commit a mistake of not taking part in the elections,” Mr Jamali said.

Replying to a question about the re-election of President Musharraf from the current assemblies, he said that the PML would take decision in this connection.

Responding to a question about the Balochistan situation, Mr Jamali said that it was not satisfactory and negotiations should be held for resolving the issue.

“The situation in Balochistan is not in the interest of the country, it should be decided on the negotiation table,” he said.

Dispelling the impression that he was parting ways with the PML and joining some other party, he said that he would remain in the PML and contest election from its platform.

About his contacts with Pir Pagaro, he said that he had old relations with the spiritual leader which would continue in future.