US helping evolve new formula to bring Musharraf, Pak political parties together

The Bush administration is helping evolve a new political formula that can enable President General Pervez Musharraf and main political parties of Pakistan to work together, according to a newspaper.

Washington, Nov 14 : The Bush administration is helping evolve a new political formula that can enable President General Pervez Musharraf and main political parties of Pakistan to work together, according to a newspaper.

The Dawn said in a report that this indication comes from the White House at a time when reports from Islamabad said the government has contacted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to explore the possibility of arriving at a working arrangement with him.

The Pakistan government opted for this alternative after another ex-premier and PPP leader Benazir Bhutto categorically said that she was no longer willing to work with Musharraf, asking him to step down to save the country from further chaos.

The daily said that White House Press Secretary Dana Perino acknowledged that the US was aware its continued support for Musharraf made Washington vulnerable to the charge that its interest in democracy and human rights was only situational.

"And, that's why we are having to urge strongly President Musharraf to get back on the path to the Constitution. And, the other political parties in Pakistan should all be working towards that goal together," she said.

"It is not a tidy situation and something that we are continuing to monitor very closely, to be engaged in," Perino added.

She further indicated that US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, who is scheduled to visit Islamabad later this week, might try to remove differences between Musharraf and moderate political forces in Pakistan.

"I wouldn't call it a personal issue with President Musharraf," said Perino while explaining why the US wants moderate elements in Pakistan to work together.

"We want everyone to be working together and communicating, and in fact, Deputy Secretary Negroponte will be travelling to Pakistan later in the week.

"We are hopeful that moderate elements can join together to have increased dialogue as they work through this political situation," she added.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife that opposition parties in Pakistan are allying to against Musharraf.

Two former premiers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif made telephonic contact with Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan.

According to The News, all the three leaders agreed on launching the combined movement against emergency.

Benazir also contacted Jamaat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, and sought their cooperation in the struggle against Musharraf.

The cricketer-turned-politician was quoted as telling Geo TV that the statement from Benazir regarding the boycott of elections was a welcome one.

Though he said her statement is a bit belated, Imran added: "I welcome her statement in this connection."

He also demanded all political parties to step forward with joint strategy until the courts were restored in the country.

ANI