Only 10 per cent progress in talks with Benazir: PML-Q

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Quami) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said there has been little progress in the talks with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Islamabad, Sep 5 : The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Quami) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said there has been little progress in the talks with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

"There is only 9-10 per cent progress in the talks on the demands of Bhutto. We are for dialogue on free, fair and transparent elections not only with the Pakistan's People's Party (PPP), but also with all other political parties," he said.

Shujaat told reporters that no final decision had been taken on Bhutto's demands.

"She has talked about ensuring free, fair and transparent elections that President Musharraf has already announced," he added.

Shujaat said that the PML-Q leadership briefed Musharraf on its point of view on the demands of Bhutto, while the President discussed the report of his negotiating team in Dubai and told them that the team would be back on Wednesday to get a briefing in order to resume the talks.

The stumbling block at the Dubai talks seemed to be the bar on becoming the Prime Minister for a third time, repeal of Article 58(2b), and dissolution of local bodies before the elections.

Sources said that Shujaat again bitterly opposed the demands of Bhutto, saying that these should not be accepted.

He ruled out the possibility of martial law, but said that it was the right of the government to use any Constitutional option.

He denied that he had told Tariq Aziz during telephonic talk that the PML-Q should not be made a scapegoat through a deal with Bhutto.

ANI