ISLAMABAD, July 16: The ruling alliance has constituted a special committee to iron out differences, if any, among the component parties and develop understanding and improve coordination between them.

The formation of the body, to be called the Coalition Coordination Committee (CCC), was announced by Pakistan Muslim League-Q Secretary-General Salim Saifullah Khan and Senator Mohammad Ali Durrani of the National Alliance while talking to newsmen after a meeting of the representatives of all the components of ruling coalition here on Wednesday.

The two leaders denied of any differences having developed among the component parties of the ruling alliance, but the very formation of the CCC suggested to the contrary as it had been set up after the reports of growing disagreements within the alliance over a number of crucial political issues, including the manner in which the cabinet portfolios had been distributed among the ruling parties.

The two leaders stressed the need for increasing coordination among the members of the ruling alliance, and said the committee had been constituted to achieve this purpose.

They underlined the need for continuing a process of dialogue with the opposition aimed at strengthening the democratic system in the country, and lauded both the government and the opposition for showing flexibility during Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali’s meetings with the opposition leaders.

Mr Khan said the government wanted to promote democratic culture in the country and that was the motive behind the prime minister’s meetings with the opposition leaders.

He said there was a need for more cooperation and contacts among the ruling coalition partners, and urged the component parties to play their role in strengthening the government.

Besides Mr Khan and Senator Durrani, the members of the Coalition Coordination Committee are: Senior Sindh Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Mr Mohammad Akram Zaki of the PML-Q, Federal Minister for Housing and MQM parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Syed Safwanullah, Millat Party Information Secretary Syed Mehmood Hashmi, Mr Sirajuddin of the PML-F and Mr Mohammad Iqbal Dar of the PML-J.

Later, talking to Dawn, Senator Durrani said the committee was formed because it was felt that there was no “political impact” of the government in the country.

Moreover, he said, the committee had been formed to chalk out a “common political strategy” to deal with different matters.

He said the committee would be helpful in increasing contacts between the leaders and workers of the component parties of the ruling alliance.

Replying to a question, he said the National Alliance had proposed the names of Mr Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Mr Ibrahim Jatoi to be included in the federal cabinet.