GUJRAT: In a bid to dispel impression of rift among the party ranks as well as family, the Chaudhrys of PML-Q showed unity at a gathering in Zahoor Elahi house on the first day of Eid.

Party chief and family head Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Parvez Elahi addressed supporters in the company of Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, his scion MNA Hussain Elahi, Shafay Hussain and Rasikh Elahi, the scions of Shujaat and Parvez, respectively.

Conspicuous by their absence were federal minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain who is now part of the coalition government led by Shehbaz Sharif and MNA Chaudhry Moonis Elahi, federal minister in the just-ousted PTI government.

Reading his written statement, Shujaat Hussain rejected reports of differences among the family and warned those behind creating rifts.

Differences in new generation natural: Shujaat

He said differences among children of four families were natural but it was a task for the elders of the clan to bring them on the right track.

“We will never support any oppressor and rectify mistake, if any, committed by us,” said Mr Hussain and added that culture of using abusive language in the politics should be eliminated.He commended Moonis Elahi for his efforts in the uplift of Gujrat through construction of new roads and bridges and likened him to 16th century Indian ruler Sher Shah Suri.

Speaking to the participants, Parvez Elahi commended PTI chairman Imran Khan for his services to the nation and said that Mr Khan had taken measures for the betterment of masses and promotion of religious teachings in the country.

“We all must stand with Imran Khan,” he said and added that one should not get close to those ministries and portfolios that did not have respect.

He said his family and party were united as differences among the family were a routine matter.

He said a wrong decision in the selection of candidate for Gujrat district Nazim slot two decades ago had consistently been damaging the family as the family then wanted to field Wajahat Hussain for the slot but had to change the decision due to some issues.

Mr Elahi indirectly criticised another family member Chaudhry Shafaat Hussain, the youngest brother of Shujaat Hussain, who has been sidelined by the party leadership due to some differences.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2022