Nawaz Sharif and Bhutto to boycott 2007 elections

London, Oct 20: Former Pakistani Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto indicated that they will boycott the 2007 election if not allowed to contest and demanded the poll be held under an interim government.

Ruling out any negotiations with President Pervez Musharraf, they have demanded a neutral, caretaker government in the country.

The two leaders said the neutral government would ensure that the 2007 elections are free and fair.

The former rivals met in London to discuss fighting jointly next year's general elections and ousting President General Pervez Musharraf. They also discussed the 'Charter of Democracy'.

Speaking at a joint press conference in London on Thursday, Bhutto and Sharif said, ''Both of us would like to find a way to contest the election to help Pakistan make a transition to democracy. But the election needs to be fair, free and impartial. It needs to be open to all political parties. And if not, honestly, all options (including boycott) will be on the table for us to consider.'' Ms Bhutto said, ''We have certain issues which pertain to military intervention in the politics of Pakistan. We don't see eye-to-eye with General Musharraf on these issues but there are other issues like the repeal of discriminatory women laws that we do have similar views.

''For example on the 17th amendment bill we didn't cooperate with the MMA and they didn't cooperate with us. But we agree on political prisoners and the steel mills corruption case,'' added Bhutto.

The two leaders said the people of Pakistan want one set of leaders. Sharif said, ''The Musharraf regime is causing a great deal of harm to the country and therefore today again we decided that Musharraf will never be entertained for any contact for political purposes. There will be no negotiations or parleys.'' They did not specify when they will return to Pakistan to participate in the political process. Sharif said, ''They don't let us stick, they throw a democratically elected government out every 3-5 years. We don't know where this tradition has come from.'' Accusing Musharraf of not trying to create a level-playing field, Sharif said: ''We have very serious doubts and suspicions about the fact that Musharraf is going to hold a free and fair election.

''Both of us agree that the general election, scheduled between October 2007 and February 2008, should be held under a neutral caretaker set up and a free and fair election is only possible under a neutral set-up because Musharraf should not be able to influence the election.'' Bhutto said the international community had made a commitment to the democratisation of Pakistan and ''it is important for the international community to see a fair and free election could only be held when all political parties are given a level-playing field.'' Commenting on the talks between the two ex-prime ministers, Sharif said, ''We had an open and candid discussion and we have a consensus on all issues that we have been discussing before and the issues that confront Pakistan today.'' ''We are gearing up the party and preparing for the election. We are a major political party and we have every right to contest the election. We are not running away from the election. Our demand is that Pakistan must have a free and fair election in 2007.'' Bhutto expressed concern about the regrouping of Taliban in tribal areas of Pakistan. She said, ''As a Pakistani, I am deeply concerned that Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is suspected to be holed up in the tribal belt of Afghanistan-Pakistan. I envisage, a Pakistan working with the Karzai government to help bring democracy in the region, establish peace with its neighbour India, internally from the threats of militants who have been bombing diplomatic missions, churches mosques and killing people randomly in the cities. As an analyst said Pakistan is on the edge of chaos.''

UNI