PPP not to resign from assemblies

The Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians meeting to devise a strategy for the presidential election scheduled for today has decided not to resign from the assemblies.

Islamabad, Oct 6 : The Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians' meeting to devise a strategy for the presidential election scheduled for today has decided not to resign from the assemblies.

The meeting decided to meet again today for a final decision, but insiders said that the party had decided to abstain from the election process.

"We have decided not to resign from the assemblies. As far as the party's participation is concerned, the decision on whether we abstain or vote in the election will be taken in the morning," PPPP President Makhdoom Amin Fahim told reporters.

Commenting on the National Reconciliation Ordinance, Fahim said that the PPP wanted restoration of democracy through a smooth transfer of power and would continue its efforts for that purpose.

The Daily Times quoted Fahim as saying that it is wrong to say that the ordinance was PPP-specific.

"It will benefit all the political parties and public office holders," he argued.

Insiders said that Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, a key PPPP leader, had expressed reservations on negotiations with the Musharraf regime during the meeting.

ANI