Jamali's visit 'aggravates' rivalry

Published February 23, 2004

OKARA, Feb 22: Differences in the local PML-Q leaders have further aggravated, as the two old guard tried to bring Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali at their native localities during his visit here on Saturday.

It is learnt that former Punjab chief minister Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo and defence minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal had differences and each wanted the prime minister visiting his hometown.

As Mr Wattoo had old association with Mr Jamali and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, he succeeded in bringing the prime minister to his native town, Haveli Wasawewala.

Reacting to it, Rao Sikandar Iqbal cancelled his visit to the Haveli. Among others who didn't turn up at the gathering included PML-Q District President Moeen Khan Wattoo, provincial minister Syed Raza Ali Gillani, parliamentary secretary for petroleum Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan (an MNA), MNA Syed Gulzar Sibtain, MPAs - Malik Nazar Farid Khokhar, Javed Alauddin, Deewan Ikhlaq Ahmad and former provincial minister Syed Afzaal Ali Shah Gillani.

The chief minister also had visited Mr Wattoo's native town and granted Rs5 million for the Ameer Begum Welfare Trust, an organization headed by Mr Wattoo's daughter, despite opposition by the Shah Muqeem Group and the defence minister.

KILLED: A boy was crushed to death at the conclusion of the prime minister's public address at Haveli Lakha stadium on Saturday.

Reports said when the prime minister's motorcade was on way to Mian Manzoor Wattoo's house, Muhammad Farooq of Chak Matan was crushed under the wheels of a car (LXY-247). Haveli police arrested the driver and impounded his car.

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