May 9, 2005	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 29, 1426

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SIALKOT, May 8: The ruling PML has landed itself in deep water after a no-confidence resolution was passed against District Naib Nazim Chaudhry Arsal Waqar Ghumman on Wednesday last following an uproar in the district assembly’s session. The PML has been divided in three groups in the Sialkot district, while each group is busy in achieving its own goals in the wake of forthcoming local bodies polls.

After being voted out by the Sialkot district assembly, convener and District Naib Nazim Chaudhry Arsal Ghumman is in close contact with the PPP to unearth the alleged corruption of Rs31 million by District Nazim Mian Naeem Javaid.

Mr Ghumman clarified that he had not joined the PPP, but he wanted to join the opposition party’s struggle of raising the corruption issue of the district nazim.

Differences in the ruling party will pave way for the PPP and other political parties to take full advantage of the situation.

The three divided groups of the PML have stepped up their political activities by holding separate corner meetings in Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial and Pasrur tehsils.

The first group comprises stalwarts like NA Speaker Chaudhry Ameer Husain, District Nazim Mian Naeem Javaid and PML’s Sialkot district president Syed Amjad Naeem Shah. This group claims enjoying the support of the Variyo family.

The second group consists of Punjab Industries Minister Muhammad Ajmal Cheema and his younger brother Muhammad Akmal Cheema, who also holds Sialkot Tehsil Nazim’s office. This group also claims to have a support of the Variyo family.

While the third group comprises Punjab Public Accounts Committee Chairman Azeem Noori Ghuman, State Minister for Investment & Privatization Umer Ahmad Ghuman and Sialkot Naib Nazim Chaudhry Arsal Waqar Ghumman.

Each group has also completed the membership drive after establishing camps in various parts of Sialkot.

Leaders of the divided groups have launched campaigns for their respective candidates for the slots of district nazim and tehsil nazims in Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial and Pasrur.

Moreover, leaders of each group are publicly criticizing and blaming leaders of opposite groups for the division in the ruling party in Sialkot.

Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi during his visit to Sialkot on April 1 had given the political command of the PML to NA speaker Chaudhry Ameer Husain. The chief minister had asked all local politicians to remain united to make a clean sweep in the forthcoming LB polls.