KARACHI: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain arrived here on Friday and met key politicians and leaders of opposition parties in a move to form a grand alliance against the government.

He hinted that the PML-Nawaz could face a major alliance of political parties in the next election and it would not be an easy ride for the ruling party to repeat May 2013 polls history.

While lauding the recent role of the army for the restoration of peace, he said: “The role of the army for peace is tremendous not only in Karachi but across Pakistan.”

Calls for expanding anti-corruption drive to Punjab

“The recent campaign against corruption must be appreciated and expanded to Punjab as well.

“As democracy right now is not delivering, the country is at once being run under democracy and martial law,” he said while speaking to the media after landing at Jinnah International Airport.

From the airport, Mr Shujaat with Sindh president of his party Haleem Adil Sheikh drove to the DHA residence of Pakistan Peoples Party’s estranged leader and former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza to offer his condolence on his father’s demise.

Later, he moved to the home of PML-Functional leader Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi where the two discussed recent political situation and prospects for alliance of different factions of Muslim Leagues.

He also separately met a key leader of the ruling party Ghaus Ali Shah and former president retired General Pervez Musharraf at their residences.

According to a statement issued by the PML-Q, the party chief visit was part of his effort to unite different factions of Muslim Leagues.

“A grand meeting is being planned of all like-minded parties to discuss the recent crisis-like situation in the country,” said the statement.

“The job which is primarily the responsibility of the political and democratic government is being done by the armed forces and their role is commendable. With this performance of the government, the ruling party’s prospects to win local bodies elections in Punjab and Sindh look slim.”

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2015

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