December 18, 2002	Wednesday	Shawwal 13, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 17: President of Pakistan Muslim League-Q Mian Azhar and party’s parliamentary leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain held a detailed meeting on Tuesday and decided to continue their reconciliatory talks on Wednesday. The talks were held in the presence of President Musharraf’s Chief of Staff Lt-Gen Hamid Nawaz.

After the meeting, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain told newsmen that the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere. Terming the meeting positive, he said another round would be held tomorrow (Wednesday).

Earlier, it was reported that the two leaders would hold a joint meeting with President Pervez Musharraf.

However, it was later denied and instead a meeting was scheduled with the president’s staff officer.

The meeting proved to be a source of embarrassment for the anti-Mian Azhar camp which was preparing for a general council meeting for Dec 20 to oust Mian Azhar, sources said.

Both Mian Azhar and Chaudhry Shujaat refused to reveal the reconciliatory formula. Mian Azhar was not available for comments. The sources said both the parties had agreed on the formula but had sought time to discuss it with their colleagues and would return tomorrow to make it final.

A party source claimed that the PML-Q leadership would not allow postponement of the Dec 20 general council meeting whether Mian Azhar resigns his office or decides to challenge the move.

PML-Q sources said that the talks were held to provide Mian Azhar an honourable exit by accepting some of his demands.