LONDON, July 10: Leaders of nationalist parties, including Asfandyar Wali Khan, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Dr Hayee Baloch, Sanaullah Khan Baloch, Qadir Magsi, Hasil Bizenjo, and most other ARD members, except PML-N leaders, called on Benazir Bhutto on Tuesday evening. Some of them are said to have met her separately as well.

They are reported to have sought from the PPP chairperson a briefing on what is generally known now as her ongoing dialogue with the Musharraf regime for a share in the government after the next election.

By the way, on Monday night when Benazir was asked by the CNN during an interview: While one understood why Gen Musharraf needed her, why did she need Gen Musharraf? Benazir’s prompt answer was: “Well he is known the world over and would be able to bring money (which Pakistan needed for its development?)

Mehmood Khan is said to have discussed during his meeting with Benazir a sort of a message from the other opposition leaders cautioning her against taking a solo flight in this struggle against military dictatorship.

Sources close to some of the parties attending Wednesday morning’s mini-summit at PML-N’s offices here said that if things did not go the way the conveners of this meeting (PPP was not one of them) desired, it would become almost impossible to save the ARD from breaking up.