ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said here on Saturday that a government of ‘national consensus’ would be set up after the general elections later this year.

“The president has told us that there is a need to have unity in the country which warrants a government of national consensus after the elections,” Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad told Dawn.

The president held a meeting with ministers, senators, MNAs, MPAs and nazims and apprised them of the fast developing political situation.

In reply to a question, the minister said that PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto would have her due share in the government for supporting President Musharraf on various issues. “Naturally she would enjoy powers in the government and the people in the ruling PML have started realising that,” he said.

Asked to comment on reported statements made by some ruling party leaders that they would be more comfortable with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif rather than Ms Bhutto, the minister said that no such thing was discussed at the meeting with the president.

“The president also told us that he would decide about Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif when they announce their plan to come to Pakistan,” Sheikh Rashid said.

He claimed that the president knew how to deal with the new situation, especially about the return of the Sharif brothers. “The president says he is not worried about anything, including his re-election and the return of the Sharifs.”

Contradicting certain reports telecast by a section of the electronic media, the minister said the president did not speak of taking up the matter with the Saudi government. “He did not say to us that he planned to get in touch with the Saudis over the issue.”

The minister quoted the president as having said: “We all need to adopt a positive approach so that the country could be steered out of the present situation.”

Sheikh Rashid said the president neither talked about the decision of the Supreme Court on the Sharifs case nor did he discuss the law and order situation across Pakistan.

“The president today focussed on political issues, particularly the holding of his election, general elections and the return of the Sharifs,” the minister for railways said.

During the meeting with the legislators, the president gave an overview of the current environment of the country. He said the country was passing through a critical period and the challenges that Pakistan faced were great.

Emphasising the ‘phenomenal’ development Pakistan has achieved during the last eight years, President Musharraf urged those present to make greater efforts for the betterment of the country.