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Benazir holds talks with PPP leaders

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD July 19. T he chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, on Thursday held a conclave with senior party leaders in London.

The meeting deliberated on the prevailing political situation in Pakistan and the October election against the backdrop of the new rules and regulations introduced by the Musharraf Government. The leaders also discussed the criteria the party should adopt for selection of candidates for elections to the National and Provincial Assemblies and the Senate and also special categories such as technocrats and women. It was a clear signal to the Musharraf regime that the PPP would take part in the elections despite all odds.

It is presumed that the question of change of party leader would have figured in the discussions. Under the new rules defined by the military Government, Ms. Bhutto would not only be in a position to become Prime Minister but also cannot continue to preside over the party. All indications are that Ms. Bhutto would nominate one of her trusted lieutenants to take charge. Names of the party vice-chairman, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, and acting secretary-general, Mian Raza Rabbani, are being mentioned as possible successors.

`Threat to democracy'

The party was of the view that the Constitutional package and the new Political Parties Order were not only unconstitutional but also had the potential to destabilise the country and the region. Ms. Bhutto expressed concern, terming the proposed amendments as "a threat to democracy, federalism, the principle of devolution of power".

She told the party leaders that the proposals struck at the heart of the rights of the federating units and the supremacy of Parliament and civil society and would give rise to unprecedented ethnicity.

The PPP rejected the so-called "package" not only because no individual had the right to amend the Constitution but also because it would spell disaster for parliamentary democracy and the federation, pitting the armed forces against political parties.

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