WASHINGTON, June 13: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is trying to arrange an all-parties conference in Pakistan to finalize a common agenda for the restoration of democracy, a party official said.

Ahsan Iqbal, chief coordinator PML-N, told a group of Pakistani journalists in Washington on Saturday that Mr Sharif wants to "gather all political forces on one platform to return political sovereignty to the people of the country."

Under this plan, the parties will try to formulate a "lowest common denominator" based on the political and social values and economic objectives that all political forces share.

These include allowing the army a dignified exit out of the present quagmire that seems to sink the country's defence forces deeper into a situation over which they seem to have no control.

The parties will agree to promote a culture of tolerance and mutual cooperation. The parties signing such an accord will not be entering an election alliance and would be free to contest the election separately. But they will be required to sign a deal agreeing to accept election results even when they lose.

The parties will also agree to establish an independent judiciary and develop a procedure for the appointment, promotion, transfer and retirement of judges free of the executive's control.

All political forces will be encouraged to pledge to rebuild national institutions, guarantee their independence and freedom and not to put party interests above the interests of national institutions.

They will also agree to promote an independent media and enhance the role of the private sector in the affairs of the state. They will devise a broad economic blue print and guidelines on foreign policies and will vow to follow these policies when in power.

This will allow a continuation of policies on key issues and enhance Pakistan's image as an economically stable and political strong state. Foreign investors will be guaranteed complete protection, irrespective of political changes, to encourage foreign investment. The parties will also discuss and approve broad guidelines for removing violence from the society and for maintaining law and order.