ISLAMABAD, Aug 30: The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mohammad Ali Durrani, said on Thursday that Article 58(2)b of the Constitution had enabled the president to stop martial law and for this reason, its abolition was not under consideration.

Talking to reporters after meeting the president, Mr Durrani said Gen Pervez Musharraf would take a decision about his uniform before the presidential election. However, he hastened to add the announcement would not be made before the completion of the talks with People’s Party chief Benazir Bhutto.

Commenting on the parleys with the PPP, the minister said this was merely a dialogue, and not a deal for sharing power. Mr Durrani said the government was also engaged in dialogue with other political parties, but he did not name them.

Regarding negotiations with Ms Bhutto, he said there was no deadlock. However, he refused to name the issues on which there was an understanding between the interlocutors.

In reply to a question about the return home of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the minister said the government would ‘use its options’ after his arrival.

“Nawaz Sharif should abide by the exile agreement under which he left the country.”

To another query, he said that Gen Musharraf could constitutionally remain president till Dec 31.

Mr Durrani said the president’s aides had taken into confidence the Pakistan Muslim League and its chief, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, about the dialogue with the PPP.

He dismissed speculations about the imposition of martial law and emergency as baseless.

APP adds:

To a question regarding Ms Bhutto’s call that President Musharraf should grant immunity to politicians in corruption cases pending in the courts, the minister said the courts were the proper forum to decide such cases.

“However, if the political leadership appeals to the president seeking immunity, he has the right to grant immunity in such cases,” he said.

In reply to another question, Mr Durrani refuted the claims that ‘80 or 90 percent’ of the agreement had been finalised with the PPP.