ISLAMABAD, Jan 21: The PML (N) is in the process of convening a meeting of its central working committee as a last ditch effort to salvage the party unity which is literally in tatters.

The meeting is aimed at discussing the situation arising from the PML (QA) campaign to unite various factions of the PML, which, a Leaguer claimed, would thwart any chances of PPP’s return.

The PML (QA) has already had the first round of talks with leaders of PML (F), PML (C) and PML (Wasti). It is said all of them have agreed in principle to the proposed merger under Mian Mohammad Azhar’s presidentship.

According to a party source Mian Azhar will remain president of the united PML and non of the party office-holders would be disturbed.

According to the source, only those members will contest the October polls who have won seats in the previous elections. Also, only PML (N)’s “winning horses” would be welcomed.

A luncheon meeting of the leaders of these factions, Pir Mardan Shah of PML(F), Hamid Nasir Chattha (his own faction) and Syed Kabir Ali Wasti and Mian Mohammad Azhar will be held in Lahore on Jan 29.

Other PML (QA) leaders will join in at a dinner to be hosted by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, party sources said.

Mian Azhar will also meet Hamid Nasir Chattha at his Lahore residence.

Raja Zafarul Haq, chairman PML (N) when asked to comment on reports of getting all but almost two dozen “Nawaz loyalists” on board the emerging united PML, said: “To counter these efforts, we have decided to convene CEC and party workers’ meetings”. He added, “although the mood of next elections had been unveiled after the president’s intention to continue for another five years, we will not give him an uncontested chance to retain power”.

A PML (QA) source claimed that except for the 15 staunch loyalists of Nawaz Sharif almost everyone else had responded positively.

These sources said that quite a few frontline leaders such as Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Sheikh Rashid have given positive signals to PML (QA).

Commenting on Chaudhry Pervez Elahi’s statement that a deal had been struck between the government and PPP over the future prime minister of the PML (QA) source said: “it was for the government to clarify the statement”.

The source dispelled the impression that the PML (QA) was taking dictation from the government saying, PPP’s Amin Faheem has held more meetings with the president than Azhar.