Following a deadlock in the Musharraf-Benazir talks and Nawaz Sharif’s decision to land in Islamabad on September 10, the government made a last-ditch effort on Friday by activating two different diplomatic channels to “clinch” a deal with Benazir and “stop” Nawaz from returning to Pakistan. Sources told Daily Times that contacts were established with the British and Saudi governments after the president consulted and briefed the PML leaders on the “proposals” being discussed with Benazir, and Nawaz’s decision to return. Inside sources said that after Benazir declined to postpone the joint meeting of her party’s central working committee and federal council beyond August 31, it was decided to involve a “common friend” through diplomatic channels to act as guarantor and broker a “deal” between the president and the PPP chairwoman.
The “common friend” is the British government and a meeting between a senior British official and Benazir took place before the latter chaired her party meeting. The CEC meeting is expected to continue late into the night. PPP Information Secretary Sherry Rehman confirmed to Daily Times from London that a meeting had indeed taken place between British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Benazir. “It was a meeting, not a call on,” Rehman insisted, adding that the “forthcoming election(s)” were discussed.