LAHORE, July 16: The PPP is not thinking of boycotting the general elections and is, instead, making preparations to contest and win maximum seats, party’s provincial president Qasim Zia said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference at the office of party information secretary Naveed Chaudhry, he said although his party had reservations about a number of steps being taken by the government, it would not like to stay out of the electoral process. However, as a matter of strategy, the party was keeping all options open.

He said his party was not holding talks with any other party to form electoral alliance.

He rejected the package of constitutional amendments, saying it was an attempt by Gen Musharraf to perpetuate himself in power. However, he reiterated that the PPP did not recognize him as the legitimate president of the country.

He suggested establishment of an interim government to ensure free and fair elections.

According to him, Ms Bhutto was being sentenced to mount pressure on the PPP to come on terms with the regime. But he made it clear that the party would not given in to pressure tactics.

Mr Zia said the delimitation of constituencies had undergone a number of changes as a result of appeals filed by various people. As a result, he said the PPP would have to consider afresh its candidates for various constituencies.

He said the party was holding meetings in Lahore from July 20 to 22 to discuss adjustments in the light of changes in the contours of constituencies.