ISLAMABAD: In a damage control move, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday decided to approach the Election Commission for holding the by-elections in June.

The meeting between the prime minister and the PPP co-chairman was held at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat in the backdrop of the Election Commission’s decision to postpone the by-elections till August due to poor law and order situation in the country.

The meeting, which was to be held on Monday, had to be rescheduled for Tuesday because of engagements of the prime minister. Information Minister Sherry Rehman was also present during the meeting in which they exchanged views on the prevailing political situation as well as the party matters.

The two leaders were of the view that the announcement regarding the postponement of the by-elections has caused huge embarrassment to the PPP. Sources said it was decided that the Election Commission would be approached for holding the by-elections in June.

However, the cabinet in its meeting on Wednesday will make a final decision whether the by-elections should be held on June 18 or after the passage of the budget. Sources said it was also decided in the meeting that the prime minister would ask chief ministers of four provinces to again send reports on the law and order situation to the Election Commission so that by-elections could be held in June.

The coalition partners of the Pakistan Democratic Alliance have also resented the announcement of the Election Commission. Even the federal government as well as leaders of the coalition government, Asif Ali Zardari and Shahbaz Sharif, condemned this decision.

The Election Commission cited poor law and order situation in the country especially report from the home department of the NWFP seeking postponement of by-elections. However, NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti told the media that he had received a phone call from Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik, who said since three provinces have asked for the postponement of the election; therefore, the NWFP should also make a similar demand. After Hoti spilled the beans, the PML-N and the ANP protested with Asif Ali Zardari over the role of Rehman Malik.

On Monday night, Rehman Malik held a meeting with Asif Ali Zardari to explain his position in the whole episode and informed him that it happened due to some misunderstanding. Agencies add: PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif, questioning the decision of the Election Commission to postpone the by-elections for two months, said the commission ought to have taken all political parties into confidence before deciding on the matter.

In a statement, the PML-N Quaid, who is currently in London for the surgery of his wife, said he has reservations about the present Election Commission right from the day it was constituted because of its inability to take independent decisions.

“We are determined to reach the bottom of this issue to know as to who was really behind this decision because it negates the electoral laws regarding holding of the by-elections within the stipulated time period,” he said.

Nawaz pointed out that political parties and workers put in a lot of hard work into the electioneering process. Terming the decision ‘undemocratic’, the PML-N Quaid said the chief election commissioner must be held accountable and provide a valid reason for taking a hasty decision on this important matter.

PML-N spokesman Siddiqul Farooq on Tuesday demanded an inquiry into the postponement of the by-elections to unveil the conspirators behind this decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

“Allied parties must sit together and unveil elements behind this conspiracy and hold an inquiry into the postponement of by-elections,” he told a private television. He expressed astonishment that the Election Commission took the decision without consulting Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and PML-N President Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.

Siddiqul Farooq termed the postponement of the by-elections a conspiracy against PML-N leader Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to keep him away from polls and block his way to enter the provincial assembly.

He stressed that conspirators must be taken to the task, brought to justice and punished according to the law. Siddiqul Farooq called for an inquiry and said Rehman Malik should be fired if found culpable.

“Some black sheep within the government are serving the interests” of Musharraf, Siddiqul Farooq said. “Rehman Malik is apparently a part of this conspiracy.” Mobbed by reporters on Tuesday, Rehman Malik did not address his alleged role.

“We will go into the details, and we will definitely come back to the people of Pakistan, but we are protesting against this postponement,” he said. How the two-month delay might benefit either side in the country’s intrigue-filled politics remains unclear. But the issue threatens to put further pressure on the partnership between the PPP and the PML-N.