Pagara to lead ‘united’ PML

Sunday, May 04, 2008 Shujaat, Pervaiz give consent to Musharraf By Asim Yasin ISLAMABAD: PML-Q leaders Ch Shujaat Hussain and Ch Pervaiz Elahi, during a meeting with President Musharraf on Saturday, expressed their readiness to accept Pir Pagara as the new chief of their party that will include both the Q and F factions, The News has learnt. According to sources, both the leaders called on President Pervez Musharraf at his Pindi camp office in the backdrop of reports of a reshuffle in the ranks of the PML-Q leadership. "The president thinks that Pir Pagara is the only person who is capable of facing the formidable PPP in Sindh because of his political influence, and spiritual background. President Musharraf wants to give a tough time to the ruling coalition through a strong opposition, which is not possible in the presence of Ch Shujaat Hussain as not merely the PML-F but other PML factions have also expressed serious reservations over his leadership," the sources further said. President Musharraf in the meeting advised them to narrow down differences within their party and stand united in the changing political environment. In the meeting that took place at the invitation of President Pervez Musharraf, Ch Shujaat Hussain and Ch Pervaiz Elahi sought the president's advice on the party's affairs. President Pervez Musharraf had also held meetings with senior leaders of the Q-League Hamid Nasir Chattha, Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat and Mian Manzoor Wattoo recently and listened to their point of view on the change of leadership in the party. The two sides discussed the strategy to meet challenges in the wake of the recent developments on political scenario, especially the issues relating to the restoration of judiciary. According to sources, Hamid Nasir Chattha, Pir Pagara, Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and others are among the hopefuls to take over the party leadership. However, after the meeting with President Pervez Musharraf, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Ch Pervaiz Elahi denied any reshuffling in the leadership of the party, saying all reports in this regard were based on speculations. "The issue of change in the leadership did not crop up during the meeting and all these reports only reflect the desires of a few individuals," he added. Talking to newsmen at his residence on Saturday, Ch Pervaiz Elahi said the PML-Q had elected Ch Shujaat Hussain for four years and "he has the confidence of the whole party". "There is democracy in the party and the office-bearers get elected through the general council that has 3,500 members," he added. Online adds: The chief of the PML (Functional) and spiritual leader of Hurs, Pir Sahib Pagara, according to reports, is likely to be appointed as the head of the united Muslim League comprising "Q", "F", as well as smaller PML groups, well-placed sources have confirmed. Sources privy to the President House told Online that the decision to merge the PML-Q into the united Muslim League, and replace Ch Shujaat Hussain with Pir Sahib Pagara as the head of the new party was taken on the desire of President Pervez Musharraf. A formal decision in this regard is expected to be announced within the next few days, sources added. According to the sources, Ch Shujaat Hussain, who called on President Musharraf on Saturday, has been conveyed by the latter about the respective decision. "Chaudhry Shujaat has assured President Musharraf that he has no objection to the appointment of Pir Pagara as the head of the Muslim League," the sources maintained. Talking to Online, Pir Pagara said he was ready to lead the Muslim League, if all the party factions agreed to get united and accept him as their leader.