KARACHI, Sept 22: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday hinted that the government could exercise any option, including extension of the term of the present assemblies, if the opposition members resigned from the parliament.
This indication came in his address at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House while he was discussing strategy for the upcoming presidential election.
Responding to concerns expressed by some of the ruling party members over the evolving political scenario following the planned return of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, the prime minister said there was no cause to worry. The government would deal with the situation when she returns, he added.
Answering a question, he said the government was in contact with various political elements and parties because it believes that a better and stable political environment can be created through dialogue.
When some PML members inquired what the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was thinking about the evolving political ball game, he said the government was in contact with them and assured that the ruling coalition would remain intact and emerge stronger.
Later, in a meeting with Chief Minister Dr Arbab Rahim and PML legislators over an Iftar dinner, the prime minister said the ruling coalition parties would participate wholeheartedly in the presidential election as well as the general elections.
He said the performance of the government was an assurance for the success of the PML and its allies in the upcoming elections. The development work done in various sectors, he said, resulted in improving the standard of living of the people.
The chief minister assured that the people of Sindh, both in rural and urban areas, supported the coalition partners.
Among others, PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani attended the meeting.
