Musharraf extends an olive branch?

By Amit Baruah

ISLAMABAD, JULY 4. The Pakistani Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who had shied away from meeting politicians since the October 12, 1999 coup, held discussions with a cross-section of politicians and leaders yesterday and today.

In a change of tack, Gen. Musharraf, whose military junta got a stamp of legitimacy from the Supreme Court on May 12, has met with leaders from the Pakistan Muslim League (N), the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), the newly-formed National Awami Party of Mr. Ajmal Khattak, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) and the PML (N) dissident, Mian Azhar.

Given the fact that most of the political leaders have discussed the path of a return to democracy, Gen. Musharraf has got a new, additional stamp of legitimacy from mainstream political parties.

The ``consultative'' approach adopted by the Chief Executive reflects a new, inclusive attitude which will provide some additional space for the military regime to operate in. Till date, Gen. Musharraf has had a dismissive approach towards politics, politicians and political parties. Now, however, his meetings will blunt that criticism and also project him as a person who is taking political parties along.

Prior to the meetings today and yesterday, the Chief Executive had only met Mr. Ajmal Khattak. At that time, there was speculation that Mr. Khattak may be offered some important post.

The military Government had also repeatedly declared that talks would be held only with ``clean'' politicians.

The meetings with Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, senior PML (N) leader and the dissident Mian Azhar, appear to be aimed at curbing the growing importance of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, wife of the former Prime Minister, Mr. Nawaz Sharif. The meetings come at a time when Begum Kulsoom is all set to launch an anti-Army agitation from Peshawar and appear to be aimed at dividing the Muslim League.

Interestingly, Begum Kulsoom has been quoted as saying that Raja Zafar-ul-Haq did not consult the ``party'' prior to his meeting with Gen. Musharraf. Playing down the meeting, she said only time would reveal the results of these interactions. However, Raja Zafar-ul-Haq himself has described as ``very good and productive'' his meeting with the Chief Executive yesterday.

The future political set-up, proposed amendments to the Constitution, and the hardship being faced by Mr. Nawaz Sharif came under discussion, he was quoted as saying.

The ``main thrust'' of the discussion was the route to a return to civilian rule, Mr. Haq stated. ``I had not sought a meeting with him (Gen. Musharraf); if he invites me again I will meet him again with the permission of the party,'' the PML (N) leader was quoted as saying.

About Mr. Sharif, he said: ``The Chief Executive did not say anything specific about Mr. Sharif, but said he would look into the issue.''

``There are some issues which were discussed with the Chief Executive, and will now be placed before an important meeting of the Muslim League,'' he maintained.

In a statement, the PPP said that Makhdoom Amin Fahim, vice- chairman of the party, met Gen. Musharraf today with the ``approval'' of the convicted former Prime Minister, Ms. Benazir Bhutto, who is presently evading arrest by living abroad.

The party said Mr. Fahim demanded early elections to the National and Provincial Assemblies and a return to democratic, civilian rule. The PPP leader, according to the statement, maintained that local bodies' elections, important in themselves, could not be a substitute for general elections.

The PPP leader also demanded an end to political victimisation and wanted justice for all those political prisoners who had been taken into custody. In a demand aimed at securing relief for Ms. Benazir Bhutto, Mr. Fahim also demanded withdrawal of all cases against PPP leaders and fresh investigations into charges.

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