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| October 25, 2002 | Friday | Sha’aban 18,1423 |
PML-Q to prefer MMA in coalition setup: Shujaat
RAWALPINDI, Oct 24: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) is a more feasible choice for the Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i- Azam) in the coalition government at the centre, the PML-Q parliamentary leader, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, said here on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference at a local hotel, he said nevertheless his party was holding negotiations with all parties in a bid to develop a consensus among democratic forces in the larger national interest.
He said his party could have formed government in the centre with a slender majority, but preferred to form a greater consensus. “We do not want door of blackmailing to be reopened,” he added.
He said his party might even decide to sit on the opposition benches, if the national interest demanded so. The country, Mr Hussain said, was passing through a critical stage and the PML-Q would not compromise on national interest for the sake of power politics.
He denied any rift within the PML-Q ranks over the nomination of a candidate for premiership.
There hasn’t been any delay in the nomination, he said. The party position was getting clearer with the joining of independent members of the parliament and would improve further from our share of reserved seats, he added.
The PML-Q parliamentary leader said: “We have shown great patience all along and would finalize the nominee after maximum consensus and consultation both within the party and with the allies.”
About the party’s situation in the Punjab, he said the PML-Q was very close to attaining two-third majority in the provincial assembly.
With the joining of independent members, we are now 20 short of the two-third milestone, he added. Thirty seven out of 39 independents, he said, had joined his party and still another one might decide in favour of the PML-Q.
To a question about Sind, he said the PPP was the majority party and had the first right to form government there. However, he said, if it failed to do so the PML-Q would show its strength.
Mr Hussain dispelled the impression that his party was a kings party. He rather claimed that the PML-Q contested in odd conditions.
APP ADDS: The PML-Q has not worked out the modalities with any political party for the formation of the next government and negotiations are being held to evolve a consensus on national issues, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, said.
He said he faced five contestants of different political parties in his constituency and also got the highest votes among all the candidates.
The PML-Q senior vice-president, Lt-Gen Abdul Majeed Malik (retired), thanked Sarwar Khan and Kamran Aslam for joining the PML-Q.
He said this would strengthen the party as they were committed political workers.
Sarwar Khan, MNA-elect from NA-53, said he had decided to join the PML-Q after consultations with the people of his constituency.
He vowed to work for the PML-Q and said he was forced to quit the PPP as he never felt comfortable with the party during his long association with it.
He also made it clear that he never betrayed the PPP despite this factor. He said he faced three parties in his constituency and his panel secured three seats in the elections.
“Now we have decided to join the PML-Q after mutual consultation in national interest and in the interest of the people of the area”, he added.
Mr Sarwar thanked the people for reposing confidence in him and said he would continue to work for the people of the area.
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