May 8, 2003	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 5, 1424

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LAHORE, May 7: The group of the ‘like-minded’ leaders in the ruling PML-Q expects to grow in strength during the next few months as more legislators, including some federal ministers, have expressed their desire to join hands with it, an important leader of the group claimed here on Wednesday.

The group has already held a few meetings to formulate a strategy for itself.

For the time being, the source said, the group was not opposed to the prime minister or the PML-Q leadership. But, he said, it was disappointed that the hitherto performance of the government was very poor and was not expected to improve in the future. As a result, the electorate would soon feel disillusioned.

The source claimed that in case the government did not launch an immediate damage control exercise, it may have to face some setbacks, as some people seemingly close to the prime minister may cross over to the group.

“We have an open-door policy. Leaders of other factions of the PML can also join us,” the source said.

For the time being the group has no plan to appoint any one as its leader. He who has greater following will have the right to lead the group.

Explaining the point, the source said the PML factions led by Pir Pagara, Mian Shahbaz Sharif or Hamid Nasir Chattha can also join hands with the group. Anyone with a greater vote bank will have the right to claim leadership, even if it was exiled Shahbaz Sharif.

This way, the group is also playing a role for the unification of various PML factions, the leader said.

In response to a question, the source said though the group was in the initial stage of formation, a number of legislators were in contact with it.

He said a time might come when the group might show its strength in the National Assembly.

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