LAHORE: Efforts have been intensified to form a ‘new party’, under the possible title of United Muslim League and the leadership of former president Gen Pervez Musharraf and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain ahead of local body polls.

The objective is to have a ‘new look party’ that can hold its own in the presence of PML-N, PTI and PPP.

Dawn has learnt Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervaiz Elahi have been authorised by the PML-Q stalwarts to discuss the proposed plan with All Pakistan Muslim League president Gen Musharraf, PML-F chief Pir Pagara Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi, former Sindh chief minister Syed Ghaus Ali Shah and ‘disgruntled’ politicians within PML-N and evolve some joint strategy.

In a meeting here on Wednesday, the Chaudhrys of Gujrat discussed the proposal of forming the United Muslim League with the PML-Q leaders SM Zafar, Khalid Ranjah, Tariq Bashir Cheema, Basharat Raja, Chaudhry Zahiruddin, Aleem Adil Sheikh, Asad Junejo, Anwar Bhindar and Salik Hussain, son of Chaudhry Shujaat. The participants authorised Chaudhry Shujaat and Pervaiz Elahi to take a decision in this regard. Chaudhry Shujaat told his party men about the ‘need’ of gathering all the factions of the Muslim League except PML-N on one platform.

A participant of the meeting told Dawn that Chaudhry Shujaat was leaving for Karachi on Friday (tomorrow) and he would meet Musharraf, Pir Pagara and Ghaus Ali Shah. He said the PML-Q leadership would also reach out to angry PML-N leaders such as Zulfiqar Khosa and take them on board.

To a question about who was likely to lead the new party - Musharraf or Shujaat -, the PML-Q leader said: “It will be decided mutually.”

“At the moment we are only concerned about bringing all Muslim Leagues minus ‘N’ on one platform and establish ourselves a strong political force,” he said.

Veteran politician from southern Punjab Sirdar Zulfiqar Khosa told Dawn that the new party having all Muslim Leagues except for ‘N’ on board was need of the hour. “We earlier had discussed about forging an alliance of all Muslim Leagues but later decided to form a new party,” Zulfiqar said.

The former governor said he had met at least 75 PML-N MNAs and MPAs from central and upper Punjab who were not happy with the “dictatorial mindset” of the Sharif brothers. “The Sharifs believe in on-man show and do not give respect to the party men,” he said and added Ghaus Ali Shah was also in contact with several disgruntled leaders of the PML-N. “The decisions in the new party will be taken in mutual consultation. Once all modalities regarding its formation are finalised its head will be picked in consultation with all leaders,” Zulfiqar Khosa said and disclosed that the new party of Muslim Leaguers was likely to be formed ahead of local body polls.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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