Pakistan News And Discussion-12

[Naresh]

[center]<b><span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>Fresh PPP-govt talks achieve breakthrough</span></b>[/center]

<b>ISLAMABAD : <span style='color:red'>Negotiators trying to thrash out a power-sharing deal between Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and self-exiled former premier Benazir Bhutto in fresh talks achieved a breakthrough on Tuesday, the PPP sources said.</span></b>

At a meeting in Dubai they focused on Musharraf's powers over the Pakistani parliament and on forthcoming presidential and general elections, Pakistan People's Party spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

Talks held in London last week between the two-time prime minister and military ruler Musharraf's aides ended in deadlock, with Bhutto saying that she would fly home ahead of general elections due by early next year.

“Discussions were held on some unresolved issues relating to the powers of the president and parliament and to arrangements on the holding of elections," Babar said.

"There was some progress on holding free and fair elections," Babar added. "The dialogue will continue."

Efforts to formulate a deal stalled after the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Party opposed Bhutto's demands that Musharraf should quit as army chief before being re-elected for another five-year term as president.

<b><span style='color:green'>Bhutto said he should also cede his powers to dissolve parliament, allow premiers to serve a third term and give an *amnesty to herself and other politicians covering her two terms in power between 1989 and 1996*.</span></b>

Babar said he believed that the talks would resume on Wednesday or a day later in the Gulf emirate.

Bhutto held secret talks with Musharraf in Abu Dhabi in July. She said on Saturday that she would end her self-imposed exile over corruption charges and announce the date of her return on September 14.

<b><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>* :</span></b> This will ensure that Nawaz Sherif will be playing Soccer as <b>Left Out!</b> and BB hopes will not return to Pakistan.

Well Done - Daughter of Haridas and Grand Daughter of Lakhi Bai!

Cheers <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->