25 February 2005	Friday	15 Muharram 1426

KARACHI, Feb 24: There is no crisis in the PML except the row between Dr Arbab Rahim and Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh, President and Secretary General, respectively, of the party's Sindh chapter,

This was stated by Mr Iqbal Dar, Additional Secretary General of the PML, while addressing a press conference at the party's city office on Thursday. Several local party leaders, including Bostan Ali Hoti and Amanullah Paracha, were present on the occasion.

Mr Dar, who is in-charge of the party membership drive, ruled out any adverse affects of the row on the party's organizational set up, and said that the membership target of five million would be achieved. He indicated that the target included 1.5 million memberships from Sindh.

He denied claim about party workers getting demoralized due to the ongoing tussle, and asserted that both Dr Arbab and Imtiaz Shaikh enjoyed confidence of the party leadership as they continued to hold their respective party offices.

As far as the charges against Mr Shaikh are concerned, the party high command has taken notice of the matter and ordered an investigation. The party is fully capable of dealing with any situation, according to Mr Dar.

Mr Dar said that the party was pursuing Gen Musharraf's policies and enjoyed his patronage. In reply to a question, he ruled out any change in Sindh or the Centre, at least over the next two years. He said that PML chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain had rejected the resignation of Al-haj Shamimuddin. "He, being a veteran Muslim Leaguer, is an asset for the party," he remarked.