Pervaiz may run for PM's slot in next polls: Shujaat
By Our Staff Reporter
LAHORE, April 25: Ruling PML-Q president Shujaat Husain says Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi may run for the slot of prime minister in the next general elections.
Talking to reporters at the residence of ARD deputy information secretary Munir Ahmad Khan, he said no one could be barred from contesting for any office.
"If he (Elahi) gives a good performance as chief minister, he may lay his claim over the country's top slot," he said, adding final decision to the effect would be made only before the polls.
These polls, he categorically stated, could be held five or six months and not years before their due time. He did not see any political change in the near future contrary to the propaganda being made in this regard.
"The existing assemblies will complete their term," he declared. Shujaat along with Syed Mowahid Husain, the political adviser to Punjab chief minister, had visited Mr Khan to condole with him on the death of his wife.
He said the written plea submitted by Nawaz Sharif to the President for remitting his punishment (in the treason case) had been signed by Shahbaz Sharif, Abbas Sharif and Husain Nawaz too, though they needed not to do so.
"Actually, the three feared that they too might be punished and signed the petition along with Nawaz Sharif." He denied that the merger of various factions of the Muslim League and the National Alliance was aimed at countering a possible setback to the party after Mr Sharif's return.
"It is the same party and the same people except the two (Nawaz and Shahbaz) who had left the country on their own." Asked if all these parties were being merged to make a greater Muslim League to be headed by Gen Pervez Musharraf, he said the general had never expressed any desire to head the PML.
Answering a question about reported differences between him and Prime Minister Jamali on various issues, he said every one had the right to have his or her opinion on an issue and this could be termed divergent views and not a clash of opinions.
"However, once a party takes a decision, everyone must abide by it," he emphasized. Replying to a question on the uniform issue, the ruling party's chief said Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid had given a policy statement on the subject.
He denied reports that the government was working on the 18th Amendment to remove restrictions put on Gen Musharraf through the 17th Amendment. Replying to a question about the Punjab government's performance, he said it would be reviewed after the completion of two years in power.
However, he seemed satisfied with the so far record of the provincial government. Answering a question on government's failure to control price-hike, the PML-Q chief admitted that it was true and that he would not defend its weaknesses.
However, he said the steps taken to improve law and order were bearing fruit meets Pagara today: PML-Q President Shujaat Husain is scheduled to call on PML-Functional leader Pir Pagara in Karachi on Monday. The two leaders will discuss matters concerning unification of various factions of the PML.
The PML-F has demanded that its nominees be given the slots of the senior vice-president, secretary-general and the chief organizer of the unified party. However, PML-Q sources say the demand is too big to be accepted.
Political situation: Some senior dissident PML-Q leaders on Sunday described the prevailing political situation in the country as alarming, vowing to play their role to set it right.
At a meeting here, they said they would raise voice for the supremacy of the constitution, eradication of corrupt elements from politics and solution to common man's problems. The meeting was attended, among others, by Mian Azhar, Syed Fakhar Imam and Begum Abida Husain.
