Polls: Ex-PMs may join hands

Speculation is rife here that former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif will bury the hatchet to form an alliance against Pakis...

Speculation is rife here that former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif will bury the hatchet to form an alliance against Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf following a recent visit to Jeddah by Bhutto.

Media reports here speculate that Bhutto, who went to Mecca on Wednesday to offer prayers, also went to Jeddah, where Sharif is living in exile under an agreement between the Musharraf government and the Saudi royal family.

Her Pakistan People8217;s Party spokesman has denied any such meeting took place, as Sharif is under obligation not to undertake political activity while in exile, a report in the The News said on Friday.

The paper, however, quoted a family friend saying Sharif and Bhutto were in touch with each other and frequently discussed the country8217;s fast-changing political scenario.

8216;8216;They have buried the hatchet and vowed to counter the military-backed King8217;s Musharraf8217;s parties in the polls through a joint strategy,8217;8217; the paper quoted the friend.

The News also said if a meeting had taken place, it could add a new dimension to the political scenario and would send positive signals to the cadres of both the parties.8217;8217;

It added that Sharif8217;s Pakistan Muslim League might support PPP candidates in order to defeat the party rebels who quit the party to form a pro-Musharraf alliance.

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The paper said Sharif was convinced this might be the best choice and a plausible way for the family8217;s return to Pakistan. 8216;8216;It is learnt that a renewed attempt was made to approach the Saudi royal family to inquire about Sharif8217;s choices,8217;8217; it said adding that the Saudi Government wanted him to honour the deal under which he was allowed by Musharraf to leave Pakistan.

The PMLN believes the party was not going to win a majority in polls so its first priority would be to help the PPP win it. Such an alliance also would seal the fate of the rebel groups which formed a new party, PML-Qaide-e-Azam PML-QA. PTI