Fahim meets Bhutto to discuss PPP-Musharraf deal

Islamabad, May 5: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and chief of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) Makhdoom Amin Fahim today met party chairperson Benazir Bhutto in Dubai and discussed reservations of allies on the party's power-sharing deal with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

''Fahim and Bhutto discussed the current socio-political scenario of the country, while they also considered the reservations of allies concerning the controversial 'deal', which has created concerns among the ARD alliance,'' Pakistan's private Online news agency reported.

The ARD mainly comprises the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) of ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The two parties had signed a charter of democracy in London last year to step up the joint struggle against General Musharraf.

Makhdoom Amin Fahim said Bhutto was clear on the point that the alliance components be informed that she would never accept General Musharraf at the helm of affairs nor was there any question of a 'deal' with him.

She also issued strict directives for giving outstanding receptions and respect to suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary.

Meanwhile, the recent ''endeavours'' of Fahim to broker a meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto have reportedly failed due to '' hectic schedules'' of both the leaders.

The meeting between these two leaders was Makhdoom's top priority, in order to allay the reservations and rising suspicions between the opposition parties regarding the much '' indicated, possible and publicised deal'' between the PPP and the government. However, when Makhdoom contacted Senator Ishaq Dar, a senior PML leader regarding the schedule of Mian Nawaz Sharif, he was informed about the ''hectic plan'' and a limited stay of Nawaz for only two days in Dubai.

UNI