Opposition leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was due to chair the meeting of the All Parties Democratic Movement in the eastern city of Lahore beginning Sunday afternoon.

Key opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and her Pakistan People's Party are not part of the alliance and were not scheduled to attend the talks. Bhutto, also a former prime minister, has joined forces with Sharif to threaten a boycott if Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf does not take steps to ensure the January 8 elections are credible.

Musharraf declared a state of emergency on November 3, suspending the constitution, jailing political opponents and gagging the media. The opposition is demanding, among other things, that the emergency measures be lifted and a neutral caretaker government and national election commission be appointed before the polls.

Sharif's nominating papers to run for parliament were rejected by election officials in Lahore because of a previous conviction for treason and corruption, putting his candidacy in doubt. He has been unable thus far to convince Bhutto to withdraw from the campaign and join a mass boycott.


Agencies

Güncelleme Tarihi: 09 Aralık 2007, 18:46