LAHORE, April 19: All the smaller component parties of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy on Thursday threw their weight behind Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto in pursuing a dialogue with the government, saying it was a set political method and could not be termed a deal.

The leaders of six ARD components, who did not include the PPP and the PML-N, told a news conference that the process of ‘negotiations’ was a traditional peaceful means of resolving political disputes, and it had assumed greater importance in Pakistan which was facing not only an internal political crisis, but was also exposed to threats like terrorism and extremism.

Naveed Malik of the Pakistan Solidarity Front quoted the PPP chairperson, with reference to his meeting held with her in Dubai, as saying that Gen Musarraf had sent an emissary to solicit her support for getting re-elected president for the next tenure. He said Ms Bhutto had taken PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif into confidence on the issue in a telephonic conversation which lasted for about 45 minutes.

Syed Munir Husain Gilani of the Pakistan Islamic Front said a dialogue had become necessary, adding that the ARD was not holding talks with the regime for power but for the resolution of political and electoral problems. He said the alliance wanted to resolve major issues like role of armed forces, the establishment of a genuine democracy, provincial autonomy, holding of fair election, besides terrorism and extremism, which had become a potential threat to the unity and solidarity of the country. “The talks can be held only with the regime and no-one else because it is the regime which is to practically counter internal and external threats”, Mr Gilani added.

Patras Ghani, the vice-president of the Pakistan Christian National Party, said the country was now facing a situation wherein it had become a hostage to various critical issues, necessitating dialogue with the regime.

He said if Ms Bhutto was showing her willingness to accept Gen Musharraf as president for another five-year term on the condition that he should shed his uniform, it sounded a wise political move to rid the country of military rule.

Mohammad Nawaz Gondal of the Pakistan Democratic Party, Saifullah Saif of the Muslim League (Qasim Group) and Pir Syed Naubahar Shah of the Shia Political Party also expressed similar views on the occasion.