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Islamabad: The Musharraf-Benazir meeting drew strong criticism from the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) party and its leaders said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was violating the pledge it made in a charter of democracy.
Any contacts or deal with the military regime would be tantamount to "shoring up dictatorship" in the country, PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif, younger brother of ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said in a an address to party workers in Lahore by phone from London yesterday.
Talking to a private television news channel, the younger Sharif said he had not sought any clarification from the PPP chairperson, adding she could clarify her position herself.
"Benazir herself was responsible for her actions but our party will not compromise on its principles and would never hold negotiations with any military dictator," Sharif said.
But his party leaders in Pakistan demanded the PPP share the details of the meeting with the nation.
"The news about Musharraf and Benazir meeting is very upsetting. She had made a commitment with Nawaz Sharif not to talk to Musharraf and that she will take him into confidence if any meeting takes place."
He said Musharraf had announced in the past not to allow the return of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif and was now seeking to prolong his rule by seeking concessions from the PPP.
"The dealing of Benazir with Musharraf is also tantamount to sabotaging the struggle of lawyers and civil society for the restoration of democracy.
"No one can support dictatorship after the judgment of Supreme Court and our party fully supports the struggle of lawyers," he maintained.
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