ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Former prime minister Shaukat Aziz announced on Saturday that he would not contest the coming elections.

He made the announcement at a news conference along with Pakistan Muslim League president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

Mr Aziz, who served as prime minister for over three years, said: “I can, and I will, serve the country as a common PML worker and in some other position.”

He tried to scotch speculations that the decision was forced by differences within the party. He said that Chaudhry Shujaat was his benefactor and he would continue to support and respect him.

Sources in the PML said that Mr Aziz was told by relevant party officials more than a week ago that he was not going to be awarded a ticket from Punjab. He was advised to make an announcement about his decision about not contesting the election for his own face-saving because it would be embarrassing for him if he also failed to get a party ticket from Sindh.

The sources said Mr Aziz had been waiting for a signal from President Gen Pervez Musharraf. But during a meeting late on Friday night, Gen Musharraf told the former prime minister that he would not be getting a PML ticket.

The Chaudhries of Gujrat had already convinced Gen Musharraf that the allotment of PML ticket to Mr Aziz would send a wrong message to the party and create confusion during the election campaign, the sources added.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, however, told newsmen that as many as three constituencies were available for Mr Aziz, but he chose not to contest and “it is his own decision”.

In reply to a question, Chaudhry Shujaat said that a decision about his party’s reunification with the PML(N) would depend on the attitude of Sharif brothers. “Our party is not worried about their return as it is fully geared up for elections and any other party cannot affect our vote bank.”