"Two rival political parties will sign a charter of democracy in London on May 14 which is in fact a charter of shelter to plundering and looting to national coffers and both had agreed to cover the sins of each other," said the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ejaz-ul-Haq. He was talking to newsmen just before leaving for Islamabad on Monday night.
He said the PML-Q government headed by General Pervez Musharraf was not afraid of any London plan or conspiracy hatched by the opponents. The Minister said, "This so-called Charter of Democracy is an agenda to safeguard the interests of self-exiled plunderer politicians who are facing cases in Swiss courts as well as in Spain and Gulf countries."
"Now the drama of self-exile should be ended, and the plunderers should return home to face the public accountability, who have become aware of their politics," the minister claimed. He said general elections might be held on January 16, 2008 under the Constitution or in November 2007.
However, the President of Pakistan would give final date. He said the ruling Pakistan Muslim League was united under the leadership of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and there was a consensus in the party that he (Shujaat) would be re-elected as party chief. However, he added that former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, who was also a candidate for the party top slot, had an objection to Shujaat's leadership. Ejaz-ul-Haq said that PML leaders wanted the PML-F of Pir Pagara to merge with the ruling party.
To a question, Ejaz-ul-Haq said all the component parties would take part in general election under same symbol and same banner so that they could easily face the opposition's alliance. "The country has been facing external and internal challenges and the situation desperately demands continuation of President Musharraf as president," Ejaz said adding that Musharraf would be re-elected as President for another term.
"However, it depends upon him whether he continues in uniform or not. "When quizzed about President Musharraf's presiding of PML meetings, the minister said there had been differences among the party leaders. He was referring to the PML forward bloc members. "Nevertheless Musharraf is working to resolve these differences. "About his ministry's performance, the minister said a new Hajj policy would be finalised in next week. "During my visit to Saudi Arabia in June, I will seek an increase of 10,000 pilgrims in Pakistan's quota," he said.