Islamabad : Close on the heels of a threat by the former Prime Ministers, Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, to boycott the 2007 elections if they were not allowed to contest, President Pervez Musharraf on Sunday said their return to the country would cause "political instability."

Gen. Musharraf told Geo TV in an interview that he would consider meeting them if they made a request.

His comments came after the two leaders met in London two days ago and said they would boycott the polls if it was not open to all political parties. They also said they would not have any political contacts with the military ruler.

"Musharraf will never be entertained for any contact for political purposes. There will be no negotiation or parleys," Mr. Sharif told a joint press conference with Ms. Bhutto.

The two leaders said the elections should be held "under a neutral caretaker" if they were to be free and fair and not influenced by Gen. Musharraf.

Gen. Musharraf reiterated his stand that the Army Chief should not be the country's head of state but said he held both postsin the country's "better interests."

To a question about seeking proposals from Opposition parties for appointing an Election Commissioner, Gen. Musharraf said the parties had not responded. — PTI

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