September 28, 2008	Sunday	Ramazan 27, 1429

LAHORE, Sept 27: The plan to replace the PML-N-led Punjab government with a PPP-PML-Q coalition has not been abandoned despite the apparent reconciliation between the PML-N and the PPP leaders.

Sources close to the top PPP leadership and the Punjab governor separately told Dawn here on Saturday that the PPP was keeping all options open and the situation would become clearer during the next few days.

Normalcy appeared to be returning after PPP Senior Minister Raja Riaz called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and discussed complaints both sides had against each other. The impression that the two parties would work together was strengthened after a committee comprising leaders of the two parties met in the light of discussions between the chief minister and the senior minister.

According to a PPP source, the PML-N has sought all those rights for its members in the National Assembly which the PPP has demanded for its legislators in the Punjab Assembly. This simply means that the PML-N MNAs should be given development funds, quota in jobs and a say in postings and transfers.

The PPP had made the demand because it was part of the governing coalition in Punjab, he said, arguing that the PML-N had no justification to demand such rights for its MNAs as the party had quit the coalition and was now sitting on opposition benches at the Centre.

It is said the matter would be discussed by top leaders of the two parties after Eid.

Asked what would be the PPP's future policy towards the PML-Q forward bloc, the source said it would depend on the attitude of the PML-N leadership.

"It was the PML-N that had claimed the PML-Q dissidents' support. On the other hand, it was the PML-Q that had claimed that the party was fully united and only a few members had broken ranks. The PPP had not held photo sessions with the forward bloc members."

Sources close to the governor say Punjab PML-Q Secretary-General Chaudhry Zaheeruddin had protested at the alleged victimisation of his party leaders and supporters at the hands of the provincial government. The PML-Q leader has reportedly asked the governor to convey the complaint to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Sources said the plan for change of the Punjab government had been delayed for some time on the request of the Chaudhrys of Gujrat.

At a recent meeting with Governor Salmaan Taseer, the source said, the Chaudhrys had said the plan should be deferred till President Zardari's address to the joint session of parliament and his visit to the United States. The purpose behind the delay was to deprive the opposition of an opportunity to hold protests during the president's visit to the US.

But now that the visit had been completed, efforts for the change of the Punjab government would be stepped up, the sources said.

RAJA RIAZ: Punjab Senior Minister Raja Riaz on Saturday praised President Asif Ali Zardari's address to the UN General Assembly and said his speech reflected national aspirations.

In a statement, he said the president in his address to the world body highlighted the problems being faced by Pakistan at the hands of terrorists and extremists and the efforts the government was making to deal with the menace.