ISLAMABAD, Nov 10: Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Nawaz Sharif has expressed his party’s willingness to participate in an all-party conference (APC) proposed by Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto and offered to join a united struggle, but only after “some clarifications” about PPP’s contacts with the establishment.

In a letter to the PPP leader, a copy of which was given to the press here on Saturday, the former prime minister outlined a four point-agenda for the APC as well as launching a combined struggle against the emergency rule.

The four point-agenda suggested by Mr Sharif for the APC included demands for the restoration of the Constitution as it was on Oct 12, 1999, immediate withdrawal of the Provisional Constitution Order, lifting of emergency along with the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other judges of superior courts, complete freedom of the media and release of all those arrested after Nov 3, and free and fair elections by an independent, effective and impartial election commission.

In his three-page letter, the PML (N) leader called for taking a united stand against the “brutal actions” of Gen. Musharraf, including abrogation of the Constitution and sacking of the Chief Justice.

He mentioned in detail formation of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy and then convening of a multi-party conference by the PML (N) in London in July this year which, he said, received wide public support.

“You have announced your plan to take out a long march from Lahore on Nov 13 in case Musharraf fails to fulfil his promises. As we are not aware of their nature we would appreciate if you could take us into confidence about the details of those promises,” Mr Sharif urged Ms. Bhutto.

“Lastly, I sincerely believe that in order to achieve the aforesaid agenda, all the political forces need to abandon all contacts with the establishment and the dictator”.

Meanwhile, the PML (N) leader telephoned Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal president Qazi Hussain Ahmed, secretary general Maulana Fazlur Rahman and Liaquat Baloch in an effort to enlarge, reenergise and reactivate the otherwise dormant All Parties Democratic Movement to launch a massive joint struggle against the government.

The move, according to sources, is aimed at turning the MMA’s campaign being launched from Nov 16 countrywide into a joint opposition move from the APDM platform.

Mr. Sharif discussed with the MMA leaders ways for early holding of meeting of APDM’s National Consultative Committee to chalk out an effective campaign against the ‘quasi-martial law’, early restoration of the Constitution and the judiciary and holding of free, fair and transparent general elections.

During the discussion, the APDM sources said, the PML leader also mentioned about his letter he has written to the PPP chairperson.

Liaquat Baloch told Dawn that in his talks with the MMA leaders, Mr. Sharif stressed the need of making clear the objectives of launching a joint struggle against the Musharraf regime.

It is also believed that the opposition wanted to put multi-dimensional pressure on Gen. Musharraf to retrain him from extending the term of assemblies and getting verdicts of his choice from the Supreme Court after expelling the Chief Justice and his brother judges who had refused to take a fresh oath under the PCO.

In the meantime, government circles have hinted at the possibility of extending the tenure of assemblies by at least four weeks which means the election schedule might be announced in the middle of December.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Sher Afgan is of the view that there was a consideration on government level to extend the term of assemblies/government by one month.

But Minister of State for Information Tariq Azim is confident that the assemblies would stand dissolved on November 15 as per constitutional provisions unless a fresh order under the PCO did not intervene in the meantime.

However, the government game plan seemed to be in jeopardy due to delay in the constitution of the Supreme Court bench which will hear petitions challenging the eligibility of Gen. Musharraf to contest the presidential election.

A PML source insisted that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was trying hard to get the tenure of assemblies extended and he had discussed the issue with some legislators of the ruling coalition and ministers.