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| August 27, 2005 | Saturday | Rajab 21, 1426 |
Bid to settle differences in PML over nazims’ posts
ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) convened an informal meeting on Thursday to review results of local body elections and address the issue of equitable nominations for the posts of nazim in various districts, tehsils and towns.
Chaired by the party president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, the meeting was also attended by secretary general Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed and information secretary Tariq Azeem.
Some coalition party leaders, afraid of unfavourable nomination for office of district /tehsil/town nazims particularly in Punjab, decided to approach President General Musharraf to ensure they received what they had been promised before the local council elections, party sources said.
The party leaders at the said meeting voiced concern over reports that some disgruntled elements both within the party and outside it were planning to seek the president’s intervention in getting their due share in the third phase of polling, insiders told Dawn.
General Musharraf had in a recent meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Chaudhry Shujaat and Mushahid Hussain advised them to ensure that differences were avoided within the coalition, especially over the nomination of nazims in the third phase.
The party leadership discussed at length the dissenting views of some senior party leaders on the nomination of district nazims by Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvaiz Elahi and asked the party cadres not to air their differences outside party circles.
The statements issued by federal ministers Jehangir Tareen, Dr Sher Afgan, Malik Amin Aslam, Owais Leghari and party veteran Gen Majeed Malik in this regard were discussed.
Mr Tareen is supporting his relative Makhdoom Mahmood Ahmed in Rahim Yar Khan; Dr Sher Afgan is interested in the re-election of his son for the post of district nazim in Mianwali; the Legharis have developed differences with the party leadership on the Rajanpur nazim’s office; Gen Majeed Malik criticised Punjab chief minister after having failed to win his favour for nazim of Chakwal and Malik Amin Aslam and Public Accounts Committee chief Malik Allahyar have allied against the former nazim of Attock, Maj Tahir Sadiq.
Sources said the PML leadership had expressed satisfaction over their party’s showing in both phases of the local council elections and those who had fared badly were asked to remain patient and refrain from public outbursts.
Chaudhry Shujaat said it was natural for PML workers who had failed to secure party support to be disappointed but they must not allow their conduct to damage the party’s image.
While denying reports of a rift within the PML, Sen Tariq Azeem said it was the opposition parties that were beset by an internal rift. As proof, Sen Azeem cited the case of two component parties of the MMA that had entered into an alliance with difference parties in the NWFP.
Meanwhile, a press statement issued by Chaudhry Shujaat’s office said that Thursday’s meeting reviewed the first two phases of local body elections and expressed satisfaction at the performance of the party.
The PML leaders noted that the results were very encouraging for the party and the democratic process.
The statement said the PML president had called for an end to the natural tension and polarization triggered by the local body election. “Those who have lost should show grace by accepting their defeat and those who have won should show magnanimity and a big heart by reaching out to their political opponents,” he said.
Chaudhry Shujaat appealed to all candidates to congratulate the victors even though they may be political rivals. He told the meeting he would immediately take steps to resolve disputes and differences of opinion within the party at district level. For the purpose a meeting of the party high command would be convened soon to evolve consensus through consultation.
Chaudhry Shujaat called upon PML leaders and workers to avoid divisive press statements in the interest of “party unity”. “We will not allow anyone to exploit these temporary differences and damage the party,” he added.
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