KARACHI, Dec 4: Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto on Wednesday directed the PPP’s parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly, Nisar Khuhro, to continue dialogue with other political forces to form the government in the province.

The directive was given in a meeting at Bilawal House, during which names of Senate aspirants were shortlisted. A meeting for scrutiny of the candidates’ list will be held immediately after Eid, said the PPP sources.

Some important elements of the party interpreted it as an endorsement of Mr Khuhro’s name for the chief minister’s slot.

Talking to the participants of the meeting, the PPP chairperson dispelled speculations in the press over the candidate’s name, said the sources.

She dispelled the impression that the PPP leadership was clandestinely negotiating a deal with the regime and said there would be no compromise on principles and the party would never abandon the masses, who had been cheated of their democratic rights by opportunists.

According to sources, Ms Bhutto commended the provincial assembly members for withstanding pressure and declared that those who had betrayed the principled stand of the people and their electorate had no future.

She reportedly said that despite coercion and unconstitutional moves by the regime, the PPP was in a strong position to form the government in Sindh.

Sources said there was anxiety within the rank and file over delay in formal announcement of the name of the party’s candidate for the top slot in Sindh, whereas it had not been delayed in Punjab.

Meanwhile, commenting on the convening of Sindh Assembly session on Dec 12, the acting secretary-general of the PPP, Raza Rabbani, was apprehensive that the time frame would be used by the regime to exert further pressure on his party’s MPAs to change loyalty.

The PPP sources were apprehensive that taking advantage of Eid holidays, unseen forces might use the old tactics of making some of its MPAs disappear to deprive the party of getting its Speaker, deputy Speaker and chief minister elected.

The PPP also held another round of “good meeting” with National Alliance leader Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and both sides agreed to continue the dialogue. The sides stated their respective positions amid rapidly changing political scenario in the province. The PPP’s team included Mr Khuhro, Syed Khursheed Shah and Naveed Qamar.