LAHORE, Sept 6: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said on Monday it was a unanimous decision of the Punjab PML to support Gen Pervez Musharraf in uniform as he had taken bold steps for the progress, prosperity and national development.

"Continuation of President Musharraf in uniform is in the supreme national interest for strengthening solidarity, integrity and national cohesion," he said while speaking at a parliamentary meeting of the PML and its allied parties at the Punjab Assembly.

The chief minister said the president had taken bold initiatives in the larger national interest in the past, and he would take more such decisions in future for the welfare of the people and economic stability.

He said the people who were opposing the president for nothing were confined to specific motives. He claimed that the president restored complete democracy in the country by holding general elections.

About the democratic role of the Pakistan People's Party, he said its leadership was a victim of double standard which absolutely lacked national thinking. He said the PPP always adopted different stands on one issue which reflected its insincerity with the people.

Regarding impending threat of acute shortage of water in the province after the closure of canals on Sept 10 next, he assured the MPAs that the government had made alternative arrangements to meet water scarcity by supplying diesel and electricity at subsidized rates to facilitate the growers.

The chief minister said the PML attached great importance to the forthcoming local elections as its results would definitely set the direction in the general elections. He said PML workers and leaders should work collectively for the betterment of the masses especially for the downtrodden. -APP