Premier won’t advise Assembly dissolution
Asghar Ali / APP

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has dismissed the speculation that he might advise President Pervez Musharraf to dissolve the National Assembly prematurely. “There are legal and constitutional options available, but that does not mean we are going to do that...the assembly will complete its term,” the Prime Minister said in an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News Agency here.
Aziz rejected the impression that he might advise President Musharraf to dissolve the National Assembly to hold elections before it completes its term on November 15 and added “we are the longest serving assembly in Pakistan’s history.” He said President Musharraf’s reelection for a second presidential term would be beneficial for the country.
“We think for Pakistan, for the region, having President Musharraf for the next term would be very useful and positive development,” he said. The Prime Minister said the government was holding dialogue with all major political parties to develop a national reconciliation on major issues facing the country both domestically and externally.
“We are also engaged in interacting with some of the leadership, directly or indirectly. And I think it will create a good atmosphere for the next elections and national reconciliation after the elections, so that on major national issues we will have the national interest in mind,” he said.
“We want a Pakistan that is peaceful, progressive and prosperous and all stake holders should be brought together. At least an effort should be made. As to what happens in the end, only time can tell,” he replied when asked to elaborate on national reconciliation.
About a possible deal between exiled former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and President Musharraf, he said the ruling party was holding talks with “many people and many parties.” “We have varied discussions and there is no final arrangement with anybody at the moment. These are just ongoing discussions,” he said.
“All we can say is we are having continuous dialogue and contacts,” he said. The Prime Minister said he would again be a candidate for the premiership. “In the next election, I will certainly participate and then it would be up to the party to decide what happens next. But certainly, I will be there. The first step is becoming a member of Parliament,” he said.
The Prime Minister termed Afghan situation a “major challenge” and pointed that Pakistan is home to three million Afghan refugees and shares more than 2,200 kilometres of border with Afghanistan. “People come in and go out. They come to the refugee camps to recruit people. They also recruit our people and there is movement back and forth. So we are taking action to prevent this,’’ he said.