Crucial meeting in London: key opposition parties ready to quit, says Imran

Key opposition parties will consider resigning from the parliament at a 'crucial' meeting in London next month to swell pressure on embattled President Pervez Musharraf, a top leader says.
"It's time to act promptly. Practical decisions will be taken at the London meeting," Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan told a news conference here on Sunday.
Former exiled prime minister Nawaz Sharif has convened all bitter opponents of Musharraf in London for July to decide how to kick him out of power. Military chief Musharraf overtook Nawaz in a 1999 coup.
He is now facing the toughest challenge in eight-year rule. Troubles have aggravated for him on all fronts.
People are demonstrating on streets after he suspended the country's top judge in March. His own political allies have advised him to separate the offices of military chief and the president. The United States also wants him, though not explicitly, to take some decision on army role.
Imran says he believes the opposition has got the best opportunity to capitalise on. But independent analysts say the absence of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Benazir Bhutto could undermine the opposition unity.
Twice elected as prime minister in 80s and 90s, Bhutto is hitherto not willing to attend the meeting or multi-party conference.
There are rumours that she seeks a secret deal with Musharraf to become prime minister third time. Her party denies it. All other opposition parties last week decided to participate in the meeting.
Khan says he doesn't think general election later this year would be free, fair and transparent if military ruler conducts them. "Fair elections are not possible in the presence of Musharraf," cricket star of the past says.
Free election is a hot issue in Pakistan these days. Political parties say they want to have a national government to overlook polls because they don't trust Musharraf. Imran ridicules those politicians who met a visiting US assistant secretary of state last week to seek Washington's help for democracy in Pakistan. He says Richard Boucher's statements were interference in Pakistan's internal affairs.