KARACHI, July 29: Amid growing criticism of Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim within the Sindh PML and from the party’s major ally, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has sent a ‘special message’ to Dr Rahim which was handed over to him by the party’s special emissary Syed Mushahid Hussain at a crucial meeting here on Saturday.

Mr Hussain, Secretary General of PML, who along with the Federal Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani, attended the meeting, handed over the message to Dr Arbab, who was chairing the meeting apparently held to review the reorganisational affairs of the party’s Sindh chapter.

The political crisis triggered by tendering of resignations by Muttahida Qaumi Movement ministers and advisers figured high in the meeting.

Although, the contents of Chaudhry Shujaat’s ‘special message’ have been kept secret, they seemed to be some sort of formula to keep the present coalition arrangement intact and narrow down differences among different groups within the PML, analysts believed.

The central leaders’ visit and the party chief’s intervention were prompted not only by the MQM’s decision to surrender portfolios for its own reservations, but also by the situation where as many as 20 local PML leaders had formed a ‘forward bloc’ to challenge Dr Arbab as chief minister as well as the party’s provincial chief. The forward bloc comprises four MNAs, two senators and seven district nazims.

The crucial meeting of the PML Sindh was convened after all reconciliatory efforts to get nomination of consensus candidates for the president and general secretary of the chapter had failed.

Besides, there were complaints of manipulations with regard to the election for the office-bearers of the party’s provincial and district level leadership.

Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, who is also provincial chief of the PML, briefed the meeting about the Sindh chapter’s organisational matters, stated that in the process had been completed whereas the election would be held on July 31.

Speaking on the occasion, Mushahid Hussain said that the central leadership had full confidence in the leadership of Dr Arbab Rahim.

Observers pointed out that as the mediation efforts did not succeed in bringing the Arbab group and its three rival groups closer, Dr Arbab still faced a challenge to his leadership from Sheikh group, Jatoi group and Mehar group.

Although Mr Hussain had made a breakthrough by arranging at least one direct meeting between Dr Arbab and his arch rival Imtiaz Sheikh, it seemed that the latter had resolved to contest for the top party slot against Dr Arbab, they said.

Similarly, Sardar Ali Gohar Khan Mehar has strong reservations over the handling of party affairs by Dr Arbab and, as such, he also intends to lead the party.

However, after formation of the forward bloc, it is believed that all opponents of Dr Arbab might nominate a consensus candidate against him and his close aide and secretary general Nadir Akmal Leghari.