ISLAMABAD — General elections would be held in 2007 but could be deferred till 2008 if certain political forces did not behave and continued to create trouble, Pakistan Muslim League chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said.
He also expressed the hope that the Kashmir issue would be resolved during the tenure of the PML government before 2007.
| And I'm going to lose fifty pounds before 2007. |
Talking to newsmen at a reception he hosted in honour of a delegation of members of 'Bangladesh Peace Initiative' that aims at promoting peace in the region, Shujaat said some political forces were trying to disrupt the prevailing situation. He said the Pakistan People's Party was never in contact with President Musharraf though PPP leaders have been contacting government emissaries. He said PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto is welcome to participate in politics but would have to face court cases if she returns to Pakistan.
| Come into my parlour, the spider said to the fly ... |
Shujaat said Asif Ali Zardari is waging a politics of advancing personal interests in the cover of the process of political reconciliation. President Musharraf, he said, wants to create political harmony in the country for smooth functioning of democratic institutions and good governance. However, Zardari and his party is trying to give it a twist to promote their own interest by creating a perception that they may capture power with the help of the army. This is unacceptable, he added.
Shujaat said President Pervez Musharraf would address the combined session of parliament this month. He said President Musharraf had taken important decisions for the solution of Kashmir issue and hoped that the Indian government would also reciprocate in a positive manner.
The PML chief said that he was willing to talk to all political parties, including the PPP, PML-N and the JI in the national interest. Shujaat said that talks with Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti were going on smoothly.
| "Smoothly" is a relative term, of course. |
Earlier Shujaat had a detailed meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to discuss current political situation and PML's strategy for the upcoming local bodies' elections. Party sources said the affairs of PML in Sindh in the backdrop of continuing clash between the chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim and his sacked minister Imtiaz Sheikh also figured during the meeting. Shujaat favours Sheikh and has been able to stall all proceedings against him. |