Deal parleys make headway

DUBAI—Dialogue between PPP-P chairperson Benazir Bhutto and Presidential aides in Dubai took place on Tuesday, which were reported as “making a headway”. A consensus over maintaining the dialogue process has been reached, so that the deal should be able to be finalized, while both governmental and PPPP sources have also confirmed the ongoing dialogue between them.
Sources have disclosed that close Presidential aide and general secretary NSC (National Security Council) Tariq Aziz, and Lt. Gen (Retd) Hamid Javed had “comprehensive and detailed” talks about such issues as uniform, 58-2B, Presidential elections, forthcoming general elections, dissolving LBs before polls, and the sensitive issue of balance of power between President and PM etc.
The PPP-P side also included renowned leaders Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Rehman Malik, as aides to Benazir Bhutto. Both sides have acquiesced to carry on the talks further ahead in coming days, and PPP-P spokesman Farhatullah Babar has also confirmed about the dialogue being a success over the issue of free, fair and transparent general elections.
It is pertinent to note that previous talks between government and PPP-P held in London had ended in a stalemate, but recent Dubai talks have dispelled all apprehensions, brightening the chances of success of a deal.
President Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain held telephone conversation with Special Aide of President Pervez Musharraf and Secretary General of National Security Council Tariq Aziz and discussed matters pertaining to on-going talks with Chairperson PPP-P Benazir Bhutto.
Sources told Online the PML President also apprised Tariq Aziz about the reservations of the ruling party regarding Govt-PPP-P talks. The Special Aide of the President took into confidence the PML President about the issues discussing in talks with Benazir, sources added. Sources further said that Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain during the talks told Tariq Aziz that he has no objections on holding talks with PPP-P but is against the undemocratic demands of Benazir Bhutto which would open doors for Benazir to come into power and damage the interests of PML. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Tuesday claimed breakthrough in the on going fresh round of talks in Dubai between PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto and President General Musharraf’s top aide Tariq Aziz. Pakistan People’s Party spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that the meeting held in UAE capital Dubai focused on President Musharraf’s powers and the forthcoming presidential and general elections.
They discussed holding a parliamentary election later this year and on presidential powers to dismiss a government and dissolve parliament under Article 58 2 (b), he added. The PPP spokesman said that there was some progress on holding free and fair elections, however there has been no progress on maintaining the balance of power. Babar hoped that dialogue will continue.
The talks, he said, would resume on Wednesday or a day later. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani also confirmed that the government-PPP dialogue had made headway. The dialogue process would continue and the nation would be taken into confidence after the conclusion of the talks, he stated.—Agencies