The stage is set for a crucial meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto on Thursday in London during which the latter is expected to seek some time from her democracy charter partner before going all-out against the rulers.
A source in Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians told Business Recorder without shedding some light on the reason as to why Ms Bhutto wants delay in any decisive movement against General Musharraf, including tendering of en bloc resignations from the assemblies.
The source was confident that the possibility of announcing a final date to launch street agitation was almost nil, as both sides have to iron out differences on a number of issues. The meeting has been arranged at the desire of the PPPP leader who has been facing criticism in recent weeks not only from other opposition parties but also from a section of her own party on contacts with the aides of President Musharraf.
Though apparently the party's Senior Vice-Chairman Amin Fahim somehow managed to allay apprehensions of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) in his meeting with Nawaz Sharif a day earlier, insiders said that both sides also agreed not to make public their differences on the question of PPPP keeping the back channel talks option open with President Musharraf's aides until they reached some 'concrete understanding'.
However, PML (N) leader is most likely to ask Benazir to close the doors of talks with the rulers once for all and gear up for street agitation in the run-up to the elections, PML9N) sources said.
The PML (N) leader wants PPPP leadership to declare in categorical terms that they would abide by the charter of democracy, which did not envisage holding parleys with the military rulers, party sources added. Thursday's meeting would be the first between the two leaders after they signed the 'charter' on July 4 last.
But its impact has subsided considerably following Benazir's admission of informal contacts with President Musharraf's aides, which she said remained inconclusive as both sides failed to sink differences.
Nawaz would host Iftar-dinner for her at his residence and, after the meeting, they would be holding a joint news conference. Frontline leadership of both parties is already in London to assist their respective leaders during the talks, which could set a trend for ARD's future line of action. The issues ranging from option of resignations to countrywide movement to seat adjustments could figure during the parleys.
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