Pro-Sharif parties 'risk martial law'

Islamabad: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) yesterday welcomed the return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif but expressed fear that the alliance of pro-Sharif parties could lead the country towards an extra constitutional situation.

"The PPP avoids steps that could make way for another military general, but the All Pakistan Democratic Movement (APDM) may push the country into an extra constitutional situation and could bring in another martial law," said Makhdoom Amin Fahim, at a press conference.

When asked if his party supports the return of Sharif Makhdoom Fahim said his party welcomed his return. But he made clear Sharif is now carrying out his politics from the platform of the APDM and the PPP has its own platform, the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy.

Defending his party's position on the Benazir-Musharraf dialogue, he said the party's back-door contacts with the government were aimed at bringing true democracy to the country and ending the military's role in politics.

"The PPP has listed its demands to the government and they include democracy without uniform and the restoration of the Constitution to a pre-October 12 state," he said.

When asked about the government's response to the PPP's demands, Amin Fahim said some things are settled and some are not. He added the government doesn't want to publicise all details.

"All the basics were discussed [during the talks] but several have yet to be resolved," he added.