ISLAMABAD, May 12: Former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has not been invited to a meeting of Pakistan Muslim League ‘elders’ convened by its president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Friday to propose measures for containing the party crisis.Talking to newsmen at the Parliament House on Thursday, Mr Jamali, a former secretary-general of the party, said he had not been invited to the meeting.

Commenting on reports suggesting that he might form a separate faction, he said: “All members of parliament, including those in the opposition, are my friends and there is no need for me to form my own group.”

In reply to a question about the completion of parliament’s term, he said: “I still pray for the assemblies but the masses are no more praying for them because they have failed to deliver and provide any relief to the people.”

Answering a question about the holding of a joint session of parliament for presidential address, the former premier said: “When it was my duty, I did it well in time and it should now be done by those who are duty-bound to do so.”

In reply to a question about reports that the PML chief might take a vote of confidence from the party’s central working committee, which is yet to be formed, Mr Jamali said: “When a motion of no-confidence has not been moved against him, what is the need for taking a vote of confidence.”

He said the party ought to organize itself and form its general council, central working committee and parliamentary board to allay a perception that all policy decisions were taken by one or two persons.

In reply to a question, he said he was ready to meet Chaudhry Shujaat, Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and PML leader Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain to end the acrimony that had emerged due to recent statements. He expressed his willingness to meet President Gen Pervez Musharraf and discuss with him the prevailing political situation.