Pakistan's Ex-PMs Nawaz and Benazir sign Charter of Democracy
By Raza Mumtaz 'Pakistan Times' Executive Editor/UK Bureau Chief

LONDON (UK): Pakistan's ex-Prime Ministers Ms Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif have signed the Charter of Democracy, saying the document was a milestone in the struggle for real democracy in Pakistan.

Ms Benazir, the Pakistan People’s Party chairperson and Mian Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz head, congratulated all Pakistanis over the charter - signed after a long meeting in London.

The two leaders agreed upon a strategy to resolve the country’s internal security issues.

They also discussed international issues particularly Pakistan’s relations with India and Afghanistan, and agreed to adopt joint strategy over these matters in the future. “We agree over the issues we have discussed in the meeting,” they told reporters.

Both leaders said they would return to Pakistan soon and change the political scenario, and “were waiting for the right time to return”. We want to go back home but we don’t think the time is ripe for us to return,” they said by adding that they had decided to return together. Nawaz added that he and Benazir did not need anyone’s permission to return.

The former prime ministers said they wanted an independent election commission to monitor the next general elections. An independent caretaker government was needed to hold free and fair elections, they added.

Exchange of Pens

Nawaz said the Charter of Democracy would be presented to other Pakistani democratic parties for their cooperation on the document. The two leaders exchanged their pens as mementos after signing the charter. “The charter will be presented in the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy’s meeting in London on July 2,” said Nawaz.

"Musharraf’s government should see the charter in context of Pakistan’s betterment and not in light of its own vested interests", said the PPP chairperson and the PML-N chief. “We signed the document to save our country and not to get power,” they added.

Earlier differences on the charter have been removed, said Nawaz, adding that the PPP and PML-N just want free and fair elections.”

Nawaz and Benazir rejected that they would make a surprise deal with government, saying; "they would never shake hands with people who had violated the country’s Constitution. “There is no possibility of any deal or dialogue with the government,” said Nawaz.

Benazir told reporters she would return to Pakistan with Nawaz - before the next general elections - on a later date. “The country is going through a sensitive phase and needs true national leaders,” she said, adding that she would have returned in 2002 but knew Musharraf would intervene and restrict her movement.●