The Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) on Monday pledged to keep Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) intact, as the latter assured not to take any decision outside the alliance ambit. Both the opposition parties have unanimously agreed to hold ARD meeting here on April 28 to thrash out a fresh move in the wake of current political scenario. ARD chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim and PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq held almost two-hour long meeting here on Monday to sort out what they termed 'misunderstandings' between the two parties.
Central leaders of both the parties including Zafar Iqbal Jhagra, Tehmina Daultana, Chaudhry Nisar Ali and Syed Zafar Ali Shah from Nawaz League while Mian Raza Rabbani and Anwar Beg from Peoples' Party were also present on the occasion.
Speaking at a joint news conference, Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Raja Zafarul Haq vowed to continue their joint struggle for the restoration of democracy and ruled out every impression to strike any deal with the establishment.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who is also PPP-Parliamentarians chairman, categorically rejected that there were any differences in the alliance.
He said Peoples' Party would never backtrack from its commitment for its struggle for the restoration of true democracy.
"All component parties of the alliance share common object of restoration of true democracy and 1973 constitution in its original form," he added.
To a query, Makhdoom said they have not shut doors for dialogue with the government. Although, Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his intention to continue dialogue with the government, but Makhdoom added their party would never deviate from its principled stance regarding supremacy of the constitution and restoration of democracy.
Makhdoom was of the view that there are certain elements, who are propagating the issue in negative ways. "Some elements are trying to give an impression that we (PPP) are going to strike any deal with the present regime. They will be defeated badly. All democratic forces are united and will foil their all attempts," he pledged.
The ARD chairman said all misunderstandings and reservations between the PML-N and PPP have been removed amicably and next ARD meeting would be held on April 28 to determine future line of action.
Speaking on the occasion, Raja Zafarul Haq also endorsed Amin Fahim and said they have successfully sorted out all misunderstandings that were prevailing during past few days.
"Peoples' party has clarified all our reservations. We have removed all misunderstandings after this meeting which held in a very cordial atmosphere," he added.
Raja further said restoration of the 1973 constitution and fresh elections under independent election commission are their unanimous demands.
He informed newsmen that an important meeting of PML-N has been convened on April 27 to take its leaders into confidence.
PML-N acting president Chaudhry Nisar on the occasion contradicted that his party had any plan to quit ARD.