LAHORE, March 9: President Pervez Musharraf "may" give some concessions to top leaders of both the PPP and the PML-N with a view to shaping up a future political scene according to his own plans.

The 'all options open' policy is also aimed at using rival political parties against each other and marginalizing religious forces. Ruling party sources say while an agreement with PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto is still under discussion, Asif Ali Zardari may be given a free hand on his return to Pakistan on April 16.

"And to check him, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif may be allowed to return home and play his role," the sources said. Once the former chief minister comes to Pakistan, the rest of the Sharif family might be allowed to shift to London.

"One by one, the Sharifs may be allowed to return to Pakistan," a party leader said, without giving any timeframe. The option of unification of PML factions is also being kept open. This card will also be used to counter the PPP.

The sources said Shahbaz Sharif in his personal capacity could not provide any strength to the system, and thus he was required to have the backing of his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif.

Whether the contacts will bear fruit when the former prime minister has repeatedly said he will not make any compromise on principles nor strike a deal with Gen Musharraf, is a question which is difficult to answer.

Similarly, it is hard to say with a degree of certainty if Ms Bhutto will allow her spouse to make a deal which does not bring enough relief to her. To keep Ms Bhutto away from political scene, the government is not inclined to withdraw the case pending against the former prime minister before the Swiss court.

"President Musharraf can't afford to take that case back. And in case he does, it will adversely affect his position in government," said a source. And Ms Bhutto is insisting that all cases against her should be taken back.

A plan has also been prepared to deal with religious parties. Steps will be taken to 'isolate' the Jamaat-i-Islami which is an 'irritant' for the president because of its alleged radical approach and conduct of its leadership.

The ruling party will improve its ties with the JUI-F which is being regarded as a moderate political force. "This is a party one can work with," the ruling party source said.The JUI-S is already with the government. A contact is being established with Shia leader Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi.

The ruling party says President Musharraf wants to strengthen the democratic system to meet US requirements. He will give the political parties a level playing-field at the time of next elections.

An independent election commission would be set up to hold free and fair elections, the sources said, making it clear that elections would not be held during the current year, as being demanded by opposition parties. During the second half of the current year, the sources said, the government would hold local elections.

The term of the present local government system would come to an end on Aug 14 after which administrators would be appointed to run the system till the completion of the electoral process.

Since election to 50 per cent Senate seats are due to be held in the first quarter of the next year, the government cannot afford to hold the general election before that.