ISLAMABAD, June 23: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday launched an initiative to take provincial coalition partners into confidence for contesting the upcoming local bodies polls from one platform.

During the first such meeting on Thursday, the prime minister discussed various political issues with the coalition party leaders of Sindh.

The meeting was attended among others by ruling Pakistan Muslim League president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, PML secretary-general Mushahid Hussain Syed, Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar, federal ministers Babar Ghauri, Ghaus Bakhsh Maher, Adil Siddiqui and Kunwar Naveed.

The prime minister told the meeting that the Muslim League government desired to take along all the coalition partners in Sindh to ensure early completion of development projects and to adopt a joint strategy for the forthcoming local bodies polls.

Talking to reporters later, Mr Aziz said the meeting had discussed the Sindh situation in detail and it was decided that a joint line of action would be adopted to expedite work on development projects.

He said it was resolved that all the coalition partners would follow a combined strategy to contest the local bodies elections. Coordination and mutual consultations between coalition partners was key to success, he stressed.

He said Chief Minister Rahim had a big responsibility as the head of the coalition government who, he hoped, would look into the interests and grievances of all the partners.

Dr Sattar said the coalition partners should enhance coordination between them to ensure implementation of the manifesto of their respective parties and to complete development projects.

He said the MQM would extend all out cooperation and assistance to the provincial government as the coalition partner for achieving common political objectives.

APP adds: During the meeting, Mr Aziz assured the Sindh government of full cooperation and assistance in the completion of its development projects.

The Sindh budget for the year 2005-06 and the law and order situation in the province were also discussed.

The prime minister expressed the hope that the provincial budget would expedite the pace of development in Sindh and the common man would get relief.