The Hindu : International : Benazir, Nawaz Sharif meet in Jeddah

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 11, 2005

International

International

Benazir, Nawaz Sharif meet in Jeddah

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 10. The two former Prime Ministers of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, met in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia today and reviewed the political situation back home.

Their meeting comes against the backdrop of efforts by emissaries of the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, for a "national reconciliation" and a reaching out to the mainstream political parties.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, said at a news conference that the Government was in "contact" with Ms. Bhutto through emissaries and an understanding with her party could be reached.

Common understanding

However, representatives of the two former Prime Ministers here said the meeting of the leaders was an effort to bring together all the mainstream parties for a common understanding on problems confronting the country.

Both the leaders are currently in exile. While Ms. Bhutto has been living in self-imposed exile in Dubai since 1998, Mr. Sharif went into exile in 2000, along with his entire family, as part of an understanding with Gen. Musharraf after he was exonerated of all charges.

After the military coup of October 1999, the parties led by Ms. Bhutto and Mr. Sharif were part of a larger alliance of opposition to Gen. Musharraf.

However, this is the first time that they have met to discuss a joint strategy to regain their political base.

The leader of Pakistan's Islamic Alliance, Muthahida Majlis Amal (MMA), Qazi Hussain Ahmed, also had talks with Mr. Sharif last month.

Amidst reports of a secret pact between Ms. Benazir Bhutto and Gen. Musharraf, the two leaders had agreed to launch a joint struggle to oust Gen. Musharraf.

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