The Pakistan Muslim League (PML) of deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has agreed to join the multi-party Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) to oppose the military government, a PML leader said Monday.
"We have agreed that a struggle be waged from a joint platform for the restoration of democratic institutions," PML convener Raja Zafar ul-Haq told AFP.
Zafar had a lengthy meeting with veteran politician and GDA chief Nawabzada Nasrullah in the eastern city of Lahore on Sunday.
PML secretary general Saranjam Khan also participated in the meeting in which the former ruling party, which Sharif still leads from a prison cell, agreed to bury its differences with the GDA.
The GDA, including Sharif's key political rival and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party, was formed in 1999 and became a vocal critic of Sharif's government.
Sharif was toppled in a military coup in October last year and has since been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for hijacking, terrorism and tax evasion.
Zafar admitted there were "differences" within the PML over whether to join forces with the GDA and the "nuts and bolts" of their participation had yet to be worked out.
"We have suggested a new alliance with a changed name be formed," he said.
Nasrullah had agreed to discuss the new set up with leaders of the allied parties and a final strategy would be evolved by the third week of November, Zafar said.
"Meanwhile we are also going to discuss the issue with other PML leaders to iron out differences in the party," he said.
Coup leader General Pervez Musharraf suspended the constitution and parliament and banned outdoor political activities after the military takeover.
The Supreme Court has validated the coup and given him three years to complete his political, economic and administrative reforms and hold general elections to restore democracy.
Elections of new village councils will begin in December on a non-party basis -- ISLAMABAD (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
