ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League was ready to talk to any political party or politician for an alliance in the upcoming general elections, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, said here on Tuesday.

Answering questions at a press conference, the federal minister said politics and democracy were the name of difference of opinion. President Gen Pervez Musharraf had said that any political party could be contacted for an electoral adjustment, he said when asked about rumours of a split in the ruling party.

He did not deny that there were differences among the ruling party members and with coalition partners. He said they had been struggling to save their political allies from defection. There might be difference amongst them, but we are trying to win over them, he added.

To a question, Ghulam Sarwar said a meeting between Gen Musharraf and PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto did take place. Both sides have admitted it happened, he said. If they could not reach an agreement it is not strange because such political contacts could fail or succeed, he added.

He repeated the ruling party stance that Gen Musharraf would be elected in uniform for another five-year term from the existing assemblies between Sept 15 and Oct 15 after which the assemblies would be dissolved and a caretaker government formed to make arrangements for the general elections.

In his view, the Constitution allowed president’s election in uniform for another term. It depends on Gen Musharraf whether to keep the uniform or doff it later on, he added.

The federal minister also talked about his recent visits to China and Brunei. He said Pakistan and Brunei enjoyed cordial relations. The latter, he said, had demanded manpower from Pakistan in three fields -- education, health and petrochemical industry.

Similarly, China had agreed to expand its ties with Pakistan in technological and vocational fields, Mr Sarwar added.