12 January 2005	Wednesday	01 Zilhaj 1425

KARACHI, Jan 11: Former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad held separate meetings with Pir Pagara, chief of his own faction of the PML at Kingri House on Tuesday.

While Mr Jamali and Dr Ibad maintained that their meetings were of routine nature and aimed at seeking Pir Saheb's guidance, political observers attached great importance to the development, and described them as a follow up of the recent visit to the city by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, President of the mainstream PML.

"A change may be round the corner,'' remarked Pir Saheb Pagara while responding to questions by a group of journalists after the meetings. "After the sacrifices being offered on Eidul Azha, some political sacrifices are in sight and may be someone would have to volunteer for such a sacrifice.'' he predicted.

When Pir Saheb's attention was drawn to a statement by federal Minister for Information Shaikh Rashid Ahmad that the next four months could be the 'months of change', he said: "Why four long months? a change may come much earlier.''

Commenting on the perpetuity of military rule, the Pir, in his usual sarcastic tone, also remarked: "People believe it's armed forces of Pakistan, but, in fact, it's Pakistan of armed forces. And they are going to stay on.''

Regarding the status of PML and the policy of his faction, he said the PML was no more a united one, but his breakaway faction was not going to undermine the coalition government.

When his comment was sought on Chaudhry Shujaat's offer to work under his (Pir Pagara's) leadership, Pir Saheb said Chaudhry Shujaat could neither lead his party perfectly, nor could he follow some other's leadership.

"I am not against him. But I believe he cannot see beyond his person and that's why no one is ready to accept his leadership." He said President Gen Musharraf is head of the state, as such, he should also assume the leadership of the party also.

Returning to his humours mood, Pir Saheb said: "No political change at national level is coming but more horse riders have emerged and my role in politics has been restricted to race course only."

About his meetings with Mr Jamali and Dr Ibad, he said that he maintained friendship with the Jamali family. And the governor is kind to us,'' he added. Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, responding to the journalists' questions, said that the movement that had picked up in Balochistan these days was not a 'separatist movement', but was aimed at achieving rights.

"People resort to taking up arms if denied their due rights,'' he remarked, and demanded justice with Balochistan people. He said that Pir Saheb was always regarded by him and his party colleagues as their elder who had been leading the PML in the past.

Even now, the party needed his leadership and guidance, he said, and added that in his fresh meeting with Pir Pagara, he made a request for the same. About Pir Pagara's views on such a request, Mr Jamali said whatever decision he would take, would be known to everyone soon.

Mr Jamali denied acting as a messenger between President Musharraf and the Pir Saheb, and said his visit was aimed at seeking guidance on how to streamline the PML and make it an organized and vibrant party.

Dr Ishratul Ibad, who was accompanied by Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed in his visit to the Kingri House, categorically stated that no change was about to come in the provincial set up. "The coalition is stable and would get more and more stable with the passage of time,'' he remarked.

On the issue of the kidnapped judges' recovery, he said that all efforts were being made in this regard. He expressed the hope that the victims would be recovered very soon.

Regarding the water issue, the governor said that Sindh was not alone which was facing the problem. "It is an issue being faced by the entire country and efforts are being made to resolve it.''