Nasrullah to continue as ARD chief

Veteran politician Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan yesterday reassumed the presidentship of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) after a Pakistan People's Party (PPP) delegation called on him and requested him to continue as alliance president.

The Nawabzada stepped down as the ARD chief last month after the PPP refused to attend the All Parties Conference (APC) convened by him.

The PPP delegation led by senior vice chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Punjab president Qasim Zia held a detailed meeting with the Nawabzada and expressed confidence in his leadership as the head of the mainstream opposition parties alliance.

Nawabzada Nasrullah told newsmen after the meeting that he was again assuming the charge of alliance chairmanship as he could not decline the joint request by the ARD leaders.

The elderly politician appreciated the visit of Makhdoom Amin Fahim and said he had no grievances whatsoever with the PPP. He said the ARD comprised of political parties of different shades and colours and got united to work for the restoration of constitution and democracy in the country.

Asked if he would be ready to play a role for the cause of Kashmir under the present military regime, the Nawabzada replied that he needed to first fully understand the Kashmir policy of the military regime and "how far General Musharraf intended to go for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute".