ISLAMABAD, May 17: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has expressed the hope that the unified Pakistan Muslim League (PML) will be able to collectively focus its energies for socio- economic welfare of the people and alleviation of poverty.

Gen Musharraf made these remarks while talking to leaders and heads of various factions of the PML and other coalition partners at a meeting held at Aiwan-i-Sadr on Monday evening, says a handout. Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and president of the unified PML Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain were also present at the meeting.

Gen Musharraf stated that strong political institutions were essential for political stability, economic prosperity and progress of the country. He said that politics for the country must be consistent as these were vital to achieve the goals of a dynamic and developed Pakistan enjoying respect in the comity of the nations.

Those present at the meeting were Hamid Nasir Chattha, Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Imtiaz Sheikh, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Abdur Razzaq Thaheem, Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi, Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Sindh Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar and Balochistan CM Jam Mohammad Yousuf.

Talking to Dawn after attending the dinner, Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the president had appreciated the decision of the unification of the PML factions.

He said the president had asked all the leaders and members of the unified PML to remove differences and hard feelings for each other and work for the betterment of the people. He said there was no discussion on the issue of new office-bearers of the PML.

The minister said Gen Musharraf had asked them to make arrangements to celebrate 100 years of the PML in the year 2006 in a befitting manner. Later, Gen Musharraf also hosted a dinner for them.