PESHAWAR, Nov 9: Pakistan Muslim League chief Nawaz Sharif and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman have held separate talks over the telephone with Awami National Party (ANP) president Asfandyar Wali Khan, who is detained at his native village residence.

According to a statement issued on Friday, both leaders expressed concern over the imposition of emergency and the attack on judiciary and media, and termed the moves a threat to the existence of the country.

They underlined the need for unifying all political forces on one platform and launching a joint struggle against the present regime.

They discussed the deteriorating law and order situation in the NWFP, including Swat and endorsed the ANP’s principled on the issue. They lauded the judges who refused to take oath under the Provisional Constitution Order and journalists and lawyers for launching a movement.

Mr Khan assured the leaders of his party’s support for the restoration of democracy, rule of law and an end to dictatorship in the country.

In a separate statement, ANP additional secretary-general Haji Mohammad Adeel said that on one hand the government was engaged in arresting political workers, journalists and lawyers, while on the other militants were fanning hatred and spreading terror in the country.

He alleged that the rulers, with the backing of western powers, were trying to carve up an Islamic Republic of Pukhtunistan in the northwest of Pakistan. He said the government was not taking any steps against the fundamentalists.

He also accused the Mohajir-Punjabi alliance of being against the existence of the country.