 ISLAMABAD — President General Pervez Musharraf has said the fomer premiers Nawaz Sharif and Ms Benazir Bhutto would not be allowed to return and take part in elections; there would be no deal with any of them nor would there be any seat adjustments outside the components of the ruling coalition.
| "Nope, nope, can't do it, nope." |
He said the elections would be held on schedule, these would be fair and transparent and all political parties would be allowed to take part freely.
| Except for the people who might be a threat to Perv. |
The assemblies would complete their term and the present set-up of the ruling alliance would not be disturbed. "The ruling alliance should chalk out a strategy to contest the next polls as a united force," Musharraf told an unusual meeting of the parliamentary party of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) at a dinner hosted by the prime minister.
The meeting was convened apparently to firm up election strategy and refurbish confidence among PML members that has been severely jolted by consistent reports of covert contacts with Ms. Benazir Bhutto.
| Gotta keep the party in line ... |
The president emphasised the need for selecting winnable candidates and promised to personally oversee this selection. He said the allied parties would contest the coming elections as coalition partners with clear plan to win.
| Winnable but not too winnable; someone who's charismatic, intelligent and efficient could become a threat in the future. They need to win but need to depend on Perv for their margin of victory. That way they always know whom to thank for their offices. |
PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, former president Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Chief Minister Sindh Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim Khan and Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousuf also attended the meeting.
The president said the government was committed to hold free, fair and impartial elections in which Perv and his hand-picked candidates win. The allied parties would go into the polls with confidence that their performance during past four years has been impressive. |