Sharif urges Bhutto to join boycott

FORMER prime minister Nawaz Sharif began a last-ditch effort yesterday to persuade fellow opposition leader Benazir Bhutto to join a boycott of parliamentary elections, but suggested his party was ready to contest the vote if he fails.

It was the first meeting between the two former premiers since they returned from exile in recent weeks. The talks came hours after an election official rejected Mr Sharif’s candidacy for the January 8 vote, a decision that could deprive him of the chance to become prime minister a third time.

Ms Bhutto reiterated that she thought all opposition parties should take part in the vote, despite concerns it won’t be free and fair, rather than leave the field open to supporters of President Pervez Musharraf.