ISLAMABAD, Feb 16: The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) on Wednesday inched towards formation of an anti-Musharraf alliance.

MMA president Qazi Hussain Ahmed, accompanied by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, met ARD chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) chairman Raja Zafarul Haq and ARD secretary-general Zafar Iqbal Jhagra.

Both sides decided that the heads of the two alliances would meet on Feb 21 to finalise details and mode of future interaction and working relationship. Before that the two alliances would meet separately to take component parties into confidence on the matter.

The ARD and the MMA agreed to launch a struggle against President Musharraf's decision to retain dual offices and for the restoration of the 1973 Constitution as it was on Oct 12, 1999 when the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif was ousted from power by a Musharraf-led coup.

Both sides exchanged views on their respective reservations against each other to reach consensus on the minimum agenda. They observed that Gen Musharraf had deviated from the constitution by retaining two high offices and tarnishing the supremacy of parliament and democratic institutions.

Talking to Dawn later, Qazi Hussain Ahmed said: "Both sides have agreed, in principle, to launch a joint struggle against General Musharraf's unconstitutional actions and for the restoration of constitution in its shape in which it existed on October 12, 1999."

He said that details of decisions reached at the meeting would be finalised on Feb 21, adding that before that both the alliances would hold their own meetings separately to discuss the matter.

Mr Fahim, Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Mr Haq termed the meeting a major breakthrough in bringing the two alliances close. Qazi said the MMA had invited the ARD to participate in its planned million march on March 9 in Islamabad.

Mr Haq said that by agreeing that the constitutional position of Oct 12, 1999, should be restored the MMA had removed the reservations of the ARD about its cooperation with the government in the passage of the 17th Amendment.

IMRAN KHAN: Later, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan called on Qazi Hussain Ahmed and discussed with him the political situation in the country.