September 08, 2007	Saturday	Sha'aban 25, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: The Pakistan Muslim League has strong candidates in all constituencies and they are capable of comfortably winning elections, says president of the ruling party Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

He was talking to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during a meeting at the PM’s House. Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvaiz Elahi was also present.

Earlier, Chaudhry Shujaat met President General Pervez Musharraf and is reported to have informed him about the bitterness being felt by senior party leaders and members of parliament over the government’s talks with Benazir Bhutto.

At the PM House meeting, various issues, including the presidential elections, were discussed.

While discussing the PPP’s demand that local bodies be dissolved ahead of general elections, Prime Minister Aziz said that local bodies formed the foundation of the political system at the grassroots level and the best way to empower people.

They agreed that President Musharraf’s re-election would ensure continuity of policies and “strengthen the democratic traditions”.

The prime minister advised provincial governments to strictly monitor prices during Ramazan and take strict action against profiteers.

The PML president also informed the prime minister about the status of ongoing dialogue with different political forces.

The Punjab chief minister briefed the prime minister on the political situation, law and order and the status of various development programmes in Punjab.

He said that as ordered by the prime minister, instructions had been given to district governments to help set up utility stores at the tehsil level.