DERA GHAZI KHAN, May 27: President Pervez Musharraf has urged the leaders and activists of the PML to resolve their differences to make a clean sweep in the upcoming general elections.

The president said this while addressing MNAs, MPAs, district nazim, tehsil nazims and tribal dignitaries at a luncheon hosted in his honour by former president Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari at Choti Zareen on Sunday.

He said that huge funds had been set aside for providing electricity, clean drinking water and other basic facilities in rural areas.

Gen Musharraf thanked former president Sardar Farooq Leghari for providing him an opportunity to address the local dignitaries. The president, who stayed for three hours at the residence of Mr Leghari, also donated Rs2.5 million to the Houbara Foundation.

Earlier in his welcome address, host Farooq Leghari said Pakistan was near bankruptcy when Gen Musharraf took over the reign of the country. He said the political acumen of the president had led the country on the road to progress.

Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool, PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, MNAs Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind, Ishaq Khan Khakwani, Dera district nazim Sardar Maqsood Ahmed Leghari, MPA Nadir Akmal Khan Leghari, senator Muhammad Jamal Khan Leghari and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the district bar association and opposition parties jointly observed a hunger strike outside the local press club against the arrival of Gen Pervez Musharraf in Choti.

The protestors threw traffic out of gear and also burnt used tyres.