HYDERABAD, Feb 16: People's Party Parliamentarian MNA Syed Naveed Qamaruzzaman Shah has said that PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto has summoned a meeting of party high command in London on Feb 20.

Talking to journalists at the press club here on Sunday, he severely criticized the rulers, saying that they lacked courage to discuss burning issues, including those of National Security Council and nuclear scientists, in parliament.

Answering a question, he said that the formation of a joint front of political forces could not be ruled out to get rid the country of dictatorship. The PPP MNA did not pin any hope on Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali but he did not rule out the possibility of Jamali becoming another Mohammad Khan Junejo.

Answering another question about the return of Ms Bhutto, he said that the time was not yet ripe but added that she would definitely return at an appropriate time to lead the people. Mr Shah said that she was the daughter of Z.A. Bhutto and could never compromize on principles.

He said that it did not make slightest difference if some opportunists had left the PPP because it was the party of the people. He said that the central committee of the party had decided that the turncoats would never be allowed to rejoin the party.

Lashing out at the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Mr Shah said that the alliance had harmed the cause of democracy by supporting the rulers. Answering a question whether President Gen Pervez Musharraf would ultimately form his own party, the MNA said that the general did not need any party because he was ruling over the country at gunpoint and had founded the king's party.