Polls: Ex-PMs may join hands

Her Pakistan People’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 country’s fast-changing political scenario.

‘‘They have buried the hatchet and vowed to counter the military-backed King’s (Musharraf’s) parties in the polls through a joint strategy,’’ 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.’’

It added that Sharif’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.

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

The PML(N) 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)