SUKKUR, Dec 6: People's Party Parliamentarians leader Asif Ali Zardari has said the PPP will not join any national government but if President Gen Pervez Musharraf constituted such a government for conducting general elections, the party will welcome it.

He was speaking at a press conference at the residence of Islamuddin Shaikh here on Monday. Mr Zardari said the government should immediately announce the holding of election and set up an independent election commission.

He called for strengthening the civil society, saying democracy would thrive in a strong civil society and, hence, army would not be able to take over in the future. Answering a question, Mr Zardari said return of exiled leaders Ms Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif was necessary for integrity and solidarity of the country.

When asked whether the PPP would form an alliance with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal if the election was announced, he said Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam's Maulana Fazalur Rehman had remained an ally of the PPP and the decision to hold talks with him on the issue would be taken by Ms Bhutto.

He, however, categorically said talks would not be held with the Jamaat-i-Islami, alleging that the JI had played a vital role in strengthening President Musharraf's rule. He observed that 2005 would be the year of general election and Ms Bhutto would return to the country before the election.

He denied that he was released under some deal and that he was to meet a high profile person in the government. He said neither he wanted to meet any such person nor he was going to Islamabad. Earlier, Mr Zardari attended a luncheon at the Jinnah Municipal Stadium hosted by Islamuddin Shaikh and attended by over 15,000 guests.

He told the gathering it was the duty of the government to provide jobs to people. He regretted that people were committing suicide due to unemployment, hunger and other problems. He said the PPP after coming into power would address these issues on priority basis.

Our Shikarpur Correspondent adds: Mr Zardari told journalists in Garhi Yasin that people were facing problems, including unemployment and poor law and order situation, due to inefficiency of the rulers.

He also went to the house of PPP worker Dhani Bux Amroti who had committed self-immolation to protest against the imprisonment of Mr Zardari and expressed condolence with the bereaved family.

Mr Zardari also addressed a gathering at the Lakhi Gate Tower Chowk. He was accompanied by Aftab Shaban Mirani, Nisar Khuhro and other party leaders.

ZARDARI ADVISED REST