June 21, 2003	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 20,1424

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LAHORE, June 20: Important PML-Q leaders who feel themselves sidelined after the formation of their party government have reportedly been approached by the PPP with the offer that they should join it and get positions according to their status.

PML-Q leader Sikandar Hayat Malhi told Dawn here on Friday that the contact between the two rival parties members was established a few weeks ago after which a PML-Q leader also met Ms Benazir Bhutto to explore the possibility of cooperation.

The dissidents, who claim that they had some 12 MNAs with them, are expected to hold a meeting in near future to work out their future course of action.

These people are keeping all options open for the time being. In case the government recognises their services and accommodates them, they would prefer to stay with the party. But in case they realise that they stand no future in the party, they would not hesitate from looking for other options.

Any move by the dissidents to prevent their supporters from voting in favour of the NA Speaker, who faces a no-trust motion, may put the ruling party in a difficult situation.

The ruling PML-Q is taking all possible steps to keep its coalition partners with it and frustrate the no-confidence motion against the Speaker.