KARACHI, Feb 6: President PPP-Parliamentarians Makhdoom Amin Fahim has said that consultations were in progress for the multi-party conference (MPC), to be held in London, and the issue of General Pervez Musharraf’s re-election as president from the same assemblies would also be on the agenda.

He was talking to reporters on Tuesday night, at Kazi Asad Abid’s residence, where he had gone to condole the death of Mr Abid’s cousin.

He said the six-party Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) alliance had differences of opinion on the issue of resignation from the assemblies and they could only be taken on board if they take a position with consensus.

He said the PPP wanted restoration of genuine democracy on top of the MPC agenda, , but now the issue of General Musharraf’s re-election would also be on the agenda.

He said the date of the MPC and its agenda would be decided after consultation with all component parties of the ARD before the meeting between Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in London.

He said there were no differences between the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Nawaz) or any other party of the ARD regarding convening of the MPC. He said the MPC would be held at an appropriate time.

To a question, Mr Fahim, who is also the chairman of Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), said no date had been finalised for party chairperson Benazir Bhutto’s return and it would only be decided after the announcement of the election schedule.

He categorically rejected all speculations regarding contacts between the government and the PPP and said those who spreading such rumours must disclose the name of the PPP leader, who is in contact with the government.

The PPP leader said the election commission should ensure the by-elections are held in a peaceful, transparent and fair manner.