Benazir Bhutto for grand opposition alliance

Islamabad, Dec 5: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has proposed formation of a grand opposition alliance during her ''marathon'' talks with another former premier Nawaz Sharif.

The combined opposition has already constituted a committee to formulate a list of demands for the government, which will contain recommendations to hold free and fair elections.

The Nation newspaper reported that whether opposition parties take part in the forthcoming elections or boycott this process, the grand alliance should be built on the basis of agenda comprising minimum points for waging a joint struggle.

Mr Sharif agreed on the proposal saying the parties should start work for preparing a joint agenda for this purpose.

Ms Bhutto wanted to include the demand for an independent judiciary in the list charter of demands but, on the insistence of Mr Sharif, agreed to include the demand for restoration of pre-emergency judiciary in it.

UNI