March 19, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 10, 1429

LAHORE, March 18: Some PML-Q leaders are of the view that Mr Hamid Nasir Chattha should be made provincial president of the party to enable him to perform an effective role as leader of the parliamentary party in the Punjab Assembly.

They expressed their opinion at a meeting with Mr Chattha here on Tuesday.

Mr Chattha has already been nominated as leader of the parliamentary party, but he is reluctant to accept the mantle because of the defections that are depleting the party strength even before the formation of a new government in the province.

The delegation that called on Mr Chattha comprised Iqbal Dar, Begum Mehnaz Rafi, Aslam Zar and others. They tried to persuade the senior PML-Q leader to accept the new role proposed for him by the party leadership.

Some other party leaders will be calling on Mr Chattha on Wednesday with the same request.

They are expected to include provincial secretary-general Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, vice-president Mian Abdus Sattar and leaders of labour, youth and other wings.

At president, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is the provincial president of the party.

PML-Q leaders say that since Pervaiz Elahi is now the opposition leader in the National Assembly, he should have some office in the central organization.