LAHORE, May 9: Heads of three factions of the PML are due to meet at a lunch at Kingri House, Karachi, the residence of Functional Muslim League chief Pir Pagara, on Friday (today) to discuss the possibility of “unity” among the participants.

There are, however, speculations that the situation may take any dramatic turn between now and the timing of the rendezvous.

Initially the meeting of PML(QA) President Mian Azhar, PML (Functional) chief Pir Pagara and PML(C) President Hamid Nasir Chattha was scheduled to be held at the Muslim League House, Islamabad.

But, Pir Pagrara put his foot down, saying he would not participate in any meeting held at any place other than his residence in Karachi. Some say the Pir changed the venue because of his ‘ego’ while others think that the change had become necessary because of the physiotherapy the Pir was having to undergo. The PML(QA) delegation, it was initially decided, would comprise Mian Muhammad Azhar, SVP Ejazul Haq, Secretary-General Gohar Ayub Khan and senior leader Chaudhry Shujaat Husain.

However, Gohar Ayub told Dawn on Thursday night that now only the president and secretary-general would represent the PML(QA).

He did not say why Ejazul Haq and Chaudhry Shujaat have been dropped.

The PML(QA) leader said his party was not in favour of merger but wanted “seat adjustments” in elections. His party, he said, would have no objection if the PML(N) was represented at the meeting either as a separate entity or part of any other group.

Replying to a question, he said he was not in a position to predict the outcome of the talks.

Pir Pagara said while talking to Dawn that he was prepared to receive anyone sent by Gen Ehtesham (head of an intelligence agency who was the mastermind behind the unity move).

He said he still did not recognize the PML(QA) as a party and regarded the PML(QA) leaders as deserters of the PML(N), hungry for ministries.

Asked whether he would be willing to receive Chaudhry Shujaat Husain at his residence, the Pir said he had placed on his table a copy of the book about the Chaudhrys, which had also been presented to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

It may be pointed out that Chaudhry Shujaat Husain had said a couple of days ago that he would meet Pir Pagara in the larger national interest, without retaliating to the personal attacks made on his family.

Replying to a question, the Pir said he had talked to PML(N) Punjab President Zulfikar Khosa who had given him certain assurances. After that, he said, he did not think the presence of the PML(N) at the Friday meeting necessary. “I am taking him on his word”.

He insisted that he was leaving it to Gen Ehtesham to bring anybody he liked for unity talks. But, he said, this should not be taken to mean that he was taking instructions from the general. “I take instructions only from the army chief”.

Responding to a question, Pir Pagara said he was in no hurry for unity talks. “The other side may have a different thinking on the subject”.

Another PML(F) leader told Dawn that six smaller factions of the PML which had met Pir Pagara in Lahore some weeks ago would also be taken into confidence about the outcome of the Friday talks. He said no decision would be taken without their consent.

Mr Hamid Nasir Chattha told Dawn in the afternoon that so far he had received no invitation for the meeting nor was he aware of the proposed venue. But, he could not be contacted in the evening, despite best efforts by this correspondent because of which his latest stance could not be known.

Chattha has very good relations with Pir Pagara and it was for this reason that the Pir had authorized him to make contacts with other factions.

The PML(N) has decided to distance itself from what it regards as a government-sponsored move.

PML(N) Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq told Dawn on Thursday that the PML factions trying to get united would ultimately join hands with the National Alliance which, according to him, had been set up to extend support to the government.

If other factions wanted the party of the deposed prime minister to support the government, why the PML(N) should not establish a direct contact with the rulers, the Raja said.

He said his party was in favour of unity among all factions, but the targets the unified party would try to achieve should also be made clear before taking any further step in this direction.

Meanwhile, the PML(Jinnah) said in a press statement on Thursday that it would welcome unity talks among various factions of the PML.