LAHORE, May 6: Important PML(QA) leaders are meeting here on Tuesday to take stock of the prevailing political situation, specially after the referendum, and decide the strategy to prepare the party for the elections.

The possibility of unification of various groups is also expected to come under discussion at the meeting to be held at the residence of Mian Muhammad Azhar. The party’s performance in the April 30 presidential referendum will also be analysed to ascertain why various leaders had failed to take voters to the polling stations in their respective areas.

The participants will also discuss the election strategy and the parties with which they can join hands or make adjustments.

Party leaders rule out any cooperation with the PML(N), although they claim that many important supporters of the deposed prime minister will soon join the PML(QA).

Talks for unification of various factions had been started several weeks ago but they had failed to make any headway because of differences between Functional Muslim League President Pir Pagara and leaders of the PML(QA).

Pir Pagara had declared that he did not recognize the PML(QA) asa party but would welcome its individuals to join hands with the PML.

The Sindhi leader had authorized PML(C) chief Hamid Nasir Chattha to establish contact with other factions.

Mr Chattha established contact with the PML(N) to seek nominations for a joint council which could work out modalities for unification. However, the latter was reluctant to give any names because of the support Pir Pagara and Mr Chattha had extended to the referendum through which Gen Musharraf extended his presidency for another five years.

PML(N) chairman Raja Zafarul Haq told Dawn on Monday that unification of various groups could be possible provided they accepted the leadership of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif. But, he regretted, leaders of other factions were fighting even the shadow of the exiled leader.

He said although opponents were making efforts to cause defections, no body would be able to cause any dent to the PML(N) vote bank. Even Mian Shahbaz Sharif would not be able to cause a dent without the blessings of Mian Nawaz Sharif, the PML(N) chairman said while referring to the unflinching public support enjoyed by the party.

Mr Chattha said that he was in contact with those PML(QA), leaders who were, in principle, in favour of unification of various factions. It is said that powers that be want the establishment of a supreme council to provide leadership to the unified party. However, important PML(QA) leaders are opposing the proposal. “There is no possibility of the PML(QA) changing its leadership at this juncture”, said some leaders seeking anonymity. They insist that Mian Azhar should be retained at all costs.

Senior Vice-President Ejazul Haq, who is being portrayed as a candidate for the top party office, denied on Monday that he wanted to dislodge Mian Azhar.

Some other party leaders fear that at the Tuesday meeting speeches would be made against Pir Pagara and Hamid Nasir Chattha to avert the possibility of any unification.