May 04, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 27, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 3: The president has advised Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi to start working for the reunification of all Muslim League factions, the PML-N excluded, in order to counter potential moves aimed at circumscribing his powers and undoing constitutional changes brought about by him.

The two top leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q got the brief to revitalise the party during a meeting with President Pervez Musharraf at his camp office in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

It was the second meeting of Chaudhry Shujaat with the president in two days. He had earlier met Mr Musharraf on Friday.

Hamid Nasir Chattha and Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, who had merged their factions with PML-Q, also met the president later in the day.

The president also broached the subject of a change in PML-Q leadership with the Chaudhrys, sources said.

But Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain dismissed questions in this context as speculations. “We did discuss current political issues and the prevailing situation in the country, but party matters were not discussed as it was not the proper forum.”

He said: “We have proposed to the president that he should address the joint session of the parliament to fulfil a constitutional requirement and he has promised to ponder upon its timing.”

Senator Tariq Azeem, the party’s spokesman, also brushed aside these reports. “Any change in the party hierarchy is the prerogative of the 3,500-strong general council and the president has nothing to do with it.

“This issue was never discussed at the (president’s) camp office.

“It was a routine meeting. The Chaudhrys hold such meetings with the president off and on to discuss the overall domestic political situation,” the former minister of state said.

According to sources, the three leaders had discussed the May 12 deadline set by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif on Friday for the reinstatement of judges.

The Chaudhrys also reportedly took President Musharraf into confidence on the legal committee set up by the party had to examine the judges’ issue.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad also called on the president.