Grant fails to get Nawaz`s support for Musharraf

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LAHORE, Aug 12 Director for Political Affairs in British Foreign Office Mark Lyall Grant called on Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif at his residence here on Wednesday, but according to sources the meeting did not result in any 'fruitful' outcome over the issue of possible trial of former president Pervez Musharraf.

Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Punjab Chief Minister and PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif and the British high commissioner attended the meeting.

The sources said that the visitors were not expecting the presence of other PML-N leaders at the meeting and they avoided discussing Britain's 'desire' that Musharraf should be exonerated from the high treason charges. Mr Grant restricted himself to be informed about PML-N's stance on the issue, the sources added.

The diplomat was told that since the Supreme Court had put the ball in parliament's court, the PML-N wanted the government to proceed on the issue. However, Mr Sharif made it clear that his party did not want to destabilise the government or derail the democratic process.

“What we want is that the PPP should honour its commitment on the 17th Amendment and resolve the issue in the light of the Charter of Democracy,” the sources quoted the PML-N leader as saying.

Mr Grant said his country wanted to see Pakistan as a politically stable and democratic state and would continue its support for the rehabilitation of the displaced people of Swat. Mr Sharif said Pakistan was indebted to Britain for its financial and moral support for the displaced people. He called for justice for the Pakistani students detained in Britain. He also urged the British government to use its influence for resumption of “meaningful dialogue” between Pakistan and India.

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