December 31, 2005	Saturday	Ziqa’ad 28, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday that the Pakistan Muslim League government would take the country forward in line with the “unity, faith and discipline” principles laid down by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

The prime minister was speaking at a PML convention held on the eve of the party’s 99th anniversary and official launch of its centenary celebrations. Federal ministers and party legislators attended the convention in large numbers.

Mr Aziz said the PML was now faced with the challenge of taking the country forward on the road to progress in accordance with the ideals of Quaid-i-Azam and his associates. Just like a century ago when the party’s leaders and supporters had sacrificed everything for a Muslim homeland, he said, the PML today was prepared to make similar sacrifices to ensure progress and prosperity.

He said the party had fared very well in the recent local government elections, which was ample proof of its popularity among the people.

He urged party workers to prepare for the upcoming general elections in 2007 and said the party would win these polls because it had undertaken many development projects for the well being of the masses.

PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who also spoke at the convention, promised to consider “suggestions and proposals” put forward by party workers in connection with the PML’s centenary celebrations.

With the participation of its workers and dedication of its leaders, the party would be made stronger in 2006, the PML’s centenary year, according to PML secretary general Mushahid Hussain Syed.

He said the ruling PML had been transformed into a grassroot level party judging by its popularity and results of the recently held local government elections.

Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, who heads the Sindh chapter of the PML, said the party had become a popular and strong entity in his province.

Mr Rahim mentioned the landslide victory of PML-supported candidates in the provincial local government elections and predicted a similar victory for the party in the 2007 election.

PML president in the NWFP Eng Amir Muqam said his province was the first to vote in favour of Pakistan in the historic referendum before partition.

“The people of the NWFP are still with Pakistan and no one can keep them away from their beloved country,” he said.

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