ISLAMABAD, May 13: Former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Friday hinted at the possibility of an in-house change but said in the same vein that the Musharraf-led government will remain in power till 2007. Talking to newsmen in the lobbies of Parliament House, Mr Jamali said: “Some elements have become active to cause holes in the PML ship but it will not sink, although the possibility of a change of guard (captain) was there.”
He added: “The reports of an in-house change are in the air but I can’t disclose the same at this point in time.” When pointed out that the name of Aftab Sherpao was being cited as the next PM, he said it would be better if the query was put to him (Sherpao) because he had been away from the capital over the last few days.
A search for more names was also continuing for the change, he said but did not elaborate. Responding to a question about reports of a possible change of government, Mr Jamali said the government will continue till 2007 “but it will be the government led by General Musharraf who enjoyed my full support”.
He said the government had failed to provide any relief to the people and had been instrumental in increasing their woes instead. In contrast, he claimed, he had restored self-respect of the people by giving them relief during his 20-month stint in power.
No initiative has been taken by the government to give attention to the real problems of the common man, he said. Asked about his refusal to attend an all-important PML meeting due for Saturday, Mr Jamali said: “I have some reservations and until these are removed by Chaudhry Shujaat I can’t attend any such meeting.”
He said he had an unwritten understanding with the Chaudhry brothers at the time of his elevation to the premier’s office that “no-one of us” will go public against each another in case of any difference of opinion. “But, alas, Chaudhry Shujaat has broken that accord.”
He said he had requested the PML chief to arrange a get-together with Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain to sort out any differences that had crept up among us but no response to his request was given.
He rejected as baseless reports of Chaudhry Shujaat’s removal as PML president, saying “he is party president and he cannot be removed by an individual”.
He denied reports of formation of a group within the party under his leadership. He said he had been meeting Pir Pagara as an old friend. The ex-premier said he had given respect of members of parliament during his 20-month tenure and provided relief to the people at large. He said that he would remain in Islamabad for a few days to thwart “intrigues being hatched against me”.
