Secular alliance being explored

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Secular alliance being explored

By Mahmood Zaman
LAHORE, April 19: Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan met Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto in Dubai last month and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has also initiated an ‘informal’ dialogue with the PPP leadership in the country for political cooperation.

If the PPP-MQM talks progress satisfactorily, a meeting between Altaf Hussain and Benazir Bhutto in London may also materialise in not too distant a future.

Sources say the ANP and the PPP are willing to accept Gen Pervez Musharraf as president provided he steps down as the army chief and restores civilian rule. ANP secretary-general Ehsan Wyne confirmed the Dubai meeting between Mr Asfandyar and Ms Bhutto. He said his party had no objection to Ms Bhutto having a dialogue with the military regime for an end to the political stalemate – as long as she does not compromise on the uniform issue. “There is no other way out,” he told Dawn.

Mr Wyne foresaw new political and electoral alliances emerging in place of existing coalitions, including the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy.

“The new alliance may include progressive forces like the ANP, PPP, Pakistan Oppressed Nationalities Movement and even the Muttahida Qaumi Movement,” he said.

According to Mr Wyne, the ANP’s National Working Committee, which is scheduled to meet in Peshawar on April 29, would consider an alliance with the PPP, MQM and nationalist forces.

MNA Farooq Sattar, deputy convener of the MQM Central Coordination Committee, said there had been ‘informal’ discussions between his party and the PPP leadership for political and electoral cooperation.

Talking to Dawn, he said organisations which believed in politically marginalising the religious right and which had a moderate and progressive agenda, must encourage and promote enlightened moderation as advocated by President Gen Musharraf.

“We understand the president’s approach to issues is finding favour with the PPP,” he said. “The PPP, it seems, is willing to hold talks with the regime. We feel that dialogue, and not use of force, is the right path.”

http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/20/top6.htm

This is verrry interesting :hmmm:

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Re: Secular alliance being explored

^Indeed it is.
So far President has treaded well, gettig ANP on the board can be a big boast for him. But problem for him will be their stance on uniform. Can he fool them into an agreement like he did with MMA? Coz without "wardi" he won't be that powerful, he knows it.

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Re: Secular alliance being explored

This links with some of the news, however it’s doubtful that Musharraf will back off over the uniform issueANP to hold provincial council polls today

By Our Correspondent

LAHORE, April 21: Some 400 members of the Awami National Party’s Punjab general council will chose here on Sunday their provincial leaders for the next four years in the elections.

The council will elect president, general secretary, a senior vice-president, four vice-presidents and a similar number of joint secretaries along with secretaries for finance and information and a 60-member working council. Besides, it will also elect 120 members for the national council.

Abdus Sattar Haider from Faisalabad and Arif Azhar from Rawalpindi have so far shown interest for the office of president and general secretary. However, if more candidates come forward on Sunday, the provincial council members will use their right to vote.

Haji Adeel, a member of the central election commission, will supervise the process.

The national council, which comprises about 1,600 members, is due to elect the party’s central leadership in Peshawar on April 29. **The elections will follow the last meeting of the national working committee where president Asfandyar Wali Khan will submit his report on his meeting with PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto in Dubai.

According to sources, the working committee will consider the country’s political situation, particularly the formation of an alliance of progressive and liberal forces to confront the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal in the next general elections.**

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Re: Secular alliance being explored

ANP actually has elections?
Anyways, a grand alliance is just what the country needs these days.. I hope they make the right decision…
Even if Musharaf doesnt give up the uniform, they should realize that being within the corridors of power would enable them to do a lot more, and give them a lot more credability then simply protesting outside.