ISLAMABAD, Aug 9: Former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Wednesday stunned the top leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League by announcing his candidature for the party secretary-general’s office in the August 12 intra-party elections.

Party president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who was present at the meeting of party elders at the residence of Lt Gen (retd) Majeed Malik, was taken by surprise over the sudden announcement and said he would have to consult President Gen Pervez Musharraf for his nod.

Talking to Dawn Gen Malik said party elders had gathered to discuss and chalk out a strategy for the August 12 elections of the central office bearers when Mr Jamali announced his decision.

Jamali said: “I had resigned the office under party obligation and I have the right to it when I am no more a prime minister.”

He made an impatient appeal to his party colleagues and members of the general council to support him in the contest.

An informal but firm decision of President Musharraf has made Chaudhry Shujaat a consensus candidate for party presidentship and no one dares to challenge him. However, party old-guards feel hurt on the appointment of Mushahid Hussain Syed without a consensus in the party.

The former prime minister had announced last month to withdraw himself from his earlier gestures of running for the party president and had reposed his confidence in Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.