PPP rejects possibility of mid-term polls in Pak

Rezaul H LaskarIslamabad, Feb 25 (PTI) The ruling Pakistan People''sParty today rejected the possibility of mid-term elections inthe country in the wake of the PML-N''s decision to sever itsalliance with it in the politically crucial province ofPunjab.

Hours after PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif announced thathis party''s decision to end its coalition with the PPP inPunjab, PPP leaders asserted that their government at thecentre would complete its five-year term and continue workingfor national reconciliation.

Senior PPP leader Raza Rabbani, also theInter-Provincial Coordination Minister, told a newsconference, "There will be no political chaos or mid-termelections in the country. We shall promote politics ofdialogue and reconciliation as our country is in need ofpositive politics in face of internal and external situation."The PPP will continue to work with all politicalparties on key issues confronting the country, he said.

Sharif announced the move to part ways with the PPPafter the expiry of the deadline set by the PML-N for thefederal government to implement a 10-point reforms agenda.

He accused the PPP and its chief, President Asif AliZardari, of reneging on several promises.

The PML-N chief said Punjab Chief Minister ShahbazSharif would dissolve his cabinet, which has seven ministersfrom the PPP, and form a new one.

However, Farhatullah Babar, the spokesman for Zardari,said the PPP ministers in Punjab will not resign on their own.

Responding to Sharif''s announcement, Babar said thePPP will wait for the PML-N to "actualize its announceddecision to part ways with the PPP" in Punjab.

"The PPP believes in pursuing reconciliatory politicsand its leadership has decided to give an appropriatepolitical response only after the PML-N has actually partedways with the PPP in the Punjab government," Babar said.

PPP leader Raza Rabbani rejected Sharif''s comment thatthe federal government had not implemented the 10- pointreforms agenda.

All 10 points were part of the PPP''s manifesto but thePML-N is trying to claim credit for this, he said.

The PPP had not hiked fuel prices and downsized thefederal cabinet in keeping with the PML-N''s demand, he said.

He said the internal and external situation ofPakistan demands that political parties should come forwardwith a collective line of action instead of discussing partyagendas and differences on an individual level.