May 10, 2005	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 1, 1426

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LAHORE, May 9: Pakistan Muslim League president Chaudhry Shujaat Husain has said that former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali has left the party when he resigned as the prime minister last year, a claim immediately denied by the former premier. Shujaat said it was his earnest desire that Mr Jamali should have remained in the League but it depended upon former premier’s own wish to continue with the party.

He was talking to reporters at the residence of former provincial minister Mian Miraj Din who died a couple of days ago.

Shujaat denied the reports that chiefs of the factions merged into the ruling PML, namely Mir Jamali, Hamid Nasir Chattha, Ejazul Haq and Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo — had showed no trust in him in a meeting in Lahore.

He told a questioner that local body elections would be held this year and the PML would contest elections jointly with its coalition partners. Replying to a question regarding the transfer of 29 federal subjects in the concurrent list to the provinces, he said the step would require amendments in the Constitution.

“We have invited PML coalition partners and the MMA to discuss the matter. But the PPP won’t be included in consultation as it seldom consents to our invitation,” he added.

He was hailed the package prepared by Senator Mushahid Husain for Balochistan.

Meanwhile, talking to a TV channel Jamali said he was part of the ruling party.

Directive: In a bid to organize the ruling party on an emergent basis, each MP has been directed to enlist at least 8,000 new members of the PML in his/her constituency.

The direction was given by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi at a meeting of district office-bearers of the League here on Monday.

“Each PML parliamentarian will be bound to introduce at least 8,000 new party members in his/her constituency,” he said, assuring the district leaders that only the party would give a policy guideline to the government.

The membership drive would prove as an effective mass-contact source in the wake of the forthcoming local polls, he said.

Each minister would also be bound to hold public meetings in his respective district, he said, adding the performance of ministers and MPs would be evaluated on the basis of the membership drive.