September 21, 2003	Sunday	Rajab 23, 1424

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KARACHI, Sept 20: Veteran politician Pir Pagara has said that the unification of some groups of the Muslim League is an indication of earlier general elections.

Pir Pagara, who was addressing a press conference at his residence here on Saturday, was asked what was the objective of the merger of various Pakistan Muslim League factions at this point in time. He said reorganization of the party had always been the first step and indication of fresh polls.

He said it was not a merger but a unification of various factions which was necessary for the survival of the party in the next elections since only a unified PML could face the challenge of the rival parties.

He denied the impression that the unification was carried out under any compulsion due to prevailing political situation, and said it was felt necessary only with an eye on the coming elections. Unification otherwise was irrelevant as the various PML factions were already allies of the Jamali government and unification would make no difference to its strength in the National Assembly.

Pir Pagara claimed that the constitutional package presented to the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on the Legal Framework Order was an outcome of the suggestions made by his group.

Asked if the unified League could be named as PML (Musharraf), Pir Pagara said if Gen Musharraf would feel the need for a political party he would form a party of ex-servicemen.

He said the unification of the PML would certainly affect all other parties.