Date:07/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/07/stories/2007090755281700.htm

International

A day of test for democracy: PML (N)

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League (N) declared on Thursday that September 10, the day party leader Nawaz Sharif is scheduled to return home from London, would be the day of a referendum for democracy and against military rule.

“We appeal to the entire nation to vote against dictatorship by turning out to welcome Nawaz Sharif, and resolve never to accept military rule again,” said Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, the party stalwart who was recently released from jail on the Supreme Court’s orders.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Hashmi appealed to all sections of civil society to join hands with the PNL (N) in the welcome for the former Prime Minister. He also appealed to the Pakistan People’s Party to participate in the welcome and said if the PPP leader Benazir Bhutto were to return, the PML (N) would be there to greet her on arrival.

Ms. Bhutto, who held talks with government emissaries earlier this week, is said to nearing agreement with President Pervez Musharraf on a deal for power-sharing, but the return of Mr. Sharif poses a threat to the alliance in the making.

With less than a week to go for the Sharifs’ homecoming, the government appears determined to prevent the return.

Geo television reported that the government is refurnishing the VIP cells in Attock jail for their soon-to-arrive guests, Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz. The cells have been adorned with new curtains and furniture and have also been given a fresh coat of paint. The channel reported that the work on the cells began the day the Sharifs announced the date of their return.

But Mr. Hashmi said nothing could deter Mr. Sharif from returning. If the government tried to arrest Mr. Sharif or prevent his entry into Pakistan in any way, Mr. Hashmi said “there will be reaction, there will be resistance”.

Meanwhile, leaders of the ruling coalition, who met on Wednesday, endorsed the decision to nominate Gen. Musharraf as their candidate, and that all parliamentarians of the ruling coalition would vote for him.

But several leaders opposed the talks between the President Musharraf and Ms. Bhutto on the ground that it would weaken them.