August 12, 2008	Tuesday	Sha'aban 9, 1429

LAHORE, Aug 11: For the first time publicly showing its support to PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, the forward bloc of the PML-Q on Monday announced its support for the move to impeach President General Pervez Musharraf (retired).

Led by Ata Muhammad Maneka, 25 members of the bloc made their appearance at a press conference at the Punjab Assembly cafeteria prior to the assembly session.

However, Maneka claimed that 35 MPAs had joined the bloc. A list was also issued on the occasion.

Lauding firm stance of Sharif against Musharraf, he said the forward bloc had decided supporting the PML-N in the impeachment move.

Asked why they were supporting Musharraf’s impeachment after they (PML-Q) elected him as president when he was wearing army uniform, he admitted that they committed a mistake and later apologised to the nation for it.

Answering a question, he said most of the people elected on the PML-Q tickets secured their victories due to their personal vote bank instead of their party’s. He said they tried to unify all factions of the Muslim League but failed to convince the PML-Q leadership.

He saw Musharraf behind the prevailing chaos in the country, alleging the president had been implementing his policies on “gunpoint” and using all tactics to execute his agenda.

He said the killing of Baloch leader Akbar Bugti, Lal Masjid carnage and May 12 mayhem in Karachi were enough grounds to impeach General Musharraf.

Those included in the forward bloc, as claimed in the list, are Ata Muhammed Maneka, Raja Shaukat Aziz Bhatti, Dr Mukhtar Bherth, Zahoor Anwar, Saqlain Anwer Sipra, Sultan Sikander Bharwana, Khalid Mehmood Sargana, Najaf Abbas Sial, Khalid Pevaiz Virk, Irfan Bashir Gujjar, Dr Tahir Ali Javed, Col Muhammed Abbas (retired), Col Shujaat Khan (retired), Nadeem Abbas Rabhera, Mehdi Abbas Khan, Rafiud Din Bokhari, Ghulam Jafar Sargana, Amer Hayat Hiraj, Walayat Shah Khagga, Malik Jalaluddin Dhakku, Chaudhry Arshad, Iqbal Langrial, Kashif Chishti, Sheikh Alauddin, Ahmer Yar Hanjra, Jawad Kamran Khar, Ejaz Noon, Naghma Mushtaq, Ahmed Khan Baloch, Fateh Muhammed Buzdar, Iftikhar Hussain Gilani, Ali Raza Gilani, Qamar Hayat Kathiya, Sheikh Yaqoob and Asif Ajmal.