The reported power-sharing agreement on many issues have immediately panicked key stakeholders in the present set up, Chaudhry's ruling league and Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
It is learnt that President Musharraf would himself proceed to either Abu Dhabi or Dubai to reach a formal accord with two-times former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The talks, which were stalled a week ago in London, resumed on Monday in Dubai and continued into the Tuesday with a meeting between self-exiled PPP chairperson and President Musharraf's team of emissaries.
Another former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is firmly planned to return Pakistan on September 10 after more than seven years in exile on which President Musharraf had sent him after military coup in 1999. Benazir has also announced to unveil her return schedule on September 14.
Experts believe that these announcements by exiled leaders have pushed Musharraf to bow down to their demands. He seemed eager to have new political partners. That's why sources said he conceded most of the ground in Dubai talks and shown a remarkable flexibility in his previous stance to lead negotiations with PPP chairperson towards a success.
According to sources, Musharraf's interlocutors have conveyed to Benazir Bhutto that he is willing to relinquish the post of military chief. Benazir has been demanding Musharraf's resignation from the top army slot ahead of his re-election as the President.
PPP sources told Business Recorder that their chairperson has asked the government to announce a cut-off date to clear herself and her husband of corruption charges. The same has also been demanded for several other party leaders.
It is learnt that the presidency has agreed not to hinder Benazir's bid to become Prime Minister third time. In this regard, the two sides have reached on a consensus that a constitutional bar would be removed through an act of the Parliament that requires simple majority.
It is to be mentioned that a constitutional obstacle to become Prime Minister more than twice is part of the sixth schedule and it can be set aside either by a presidential order or by mean of simple legislation. Moreover, the government has also agreed to conditionally withdraw a constitutional power of the President to dissolve assemblies.
According to the proposed arrangements, the President will continue to exercise the power under article 58(2) B of the constitution but Supreme Court consent to his decision to dissolve assemblies would be mandatory.
Meanwhile, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and MQM leader Farooq Sattar expressed serious concerns over Musharraf picking new partners and pushing them to the wall after five years of loyalty.
Earlier in the day, Shujaat held a telephonic conversation with Secretary National Security Council Tariq Aziz and conveyed his concerns over the power-sharing formula with Pakistan Peoples Party.
Desperate Chaudhry reminded Aziz the unflinching support he and his lieutenants in ruling league have been extending to President Musharraf and asked him not to make them scapegoats. MQM parliamentary leader Farooq Sattar also protested over the reported agreement between PPP and Presidency.
However, President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz met Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad to take him into confidence. Earlier reports suggest that Ishrat may be given an important assignment in the interim setup.
APP ADDS: A Spokesman of the President House on Tuesday dismissed reports of President General Pervez Musharraf's visit abroad, for any "deal," as totally baseless and false.
The President's Spokesman when asked about the reports in the media that the President may visit a Gulf country during the next 48 hours, told APP that "neither there has been any plan, nor any such visit in the offing."
He said the dialogue process with the political parties is a continuous process and is aimed at bringing about a stable political environment in the country.