ISLAMABAD, Oct 28: A crucial meeting of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy is being held here on Tuesday evening amid a tug of war between the three main contenders over the future government.

The ARD’s gathering will coincide with a meeting called by Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) of almost all political parties and groups which

have guaranteed representa-tion in the future national assembly.

The ARD meeting, which was originally scheduled to be held on Monday, could not be held as the President People’s Party Parliamentarians, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, was in Karachi all day meeting Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

On his return from Karachi, Makhdoom Fahim went straight to Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan’s residence where leaders of PML-N were still present.

When a group of reporter waiting outside Nawabzada’s residence asked him about his meeting with President Musharraf at Pir Sohawa, a picnic spot, on Sunday, he insisted it was a chance meeting.

According to a reporter, who happened to be there, also by chance, President Musharraf arrived a few minutes ahead of a red Pajero carrying Makhdoom Fahim. They conferred with each other for a few minutes, and then left.

The senior vice-president of PML(N), Syed Zafar Ali Shah, who was present at Nawabzada’s residence on Monday night said that detailed discussions would be held on Tuesday.

However, he said, the PML-N and Alliance for Restoration of Democracy were firm in their stand regarding the restoration of the 1973 Constitution for the formation of government.

The Nawabzada, after meeting the MMA leaders earlier in the day, indicated that the ARD would not attend their meeting, as they are opposed to PML-Q’s participation.

Great emphasis is being placed on these two meetings of major political significance.