FAISALABAD, Sept 24: The first-ever PML workers' convention held here on Friday night passed a resolution asking President Pervez Musharraf to retain offices of COAS and president.

Speakers said that the country was facing critical situation but President Pervez Musharraf steered the country out from internal and external crises through strong and solid policies.

Punjab PML Secretary-General Chaudhry Zaheeruddin presented the resolution before the convention, saying that due to increasing threats of terrorism, programme of constructing big water reservoirs, negotiations with India on critical issues, and the peace process in the region, Pervez Musharraf should hold both the offices of president and the army chief in the national interest.

The crowd and the leaders of the ruling party unanimously approved the resolution and raised slogans in favour of the president, the prime minister and the Punjab chief minister.

Mr Zaheer said that such conventions would be held throughout the province and the people would pass resolutions requesting Pervez Musharraf to retain his army post beyond Dec 31 in the national interest.

Earlier, Federal Law Minister Wasi Zafar said that the present government had launched a number of people-friendly programmes. He claimed that the net of terrorists had been broken and the country put on the road to progress and prosperity. It is imperative that Pervez Musharraf retain the offices of president and COAS, he said.

Federal Textile Industry Minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema said that President Musharraf should accept the demand of the masses and retain both the offices in the interest of the solidarity and stability of the federation.

Provincial ministers Dr Shafiq Ahmed, Qasim Ali Noon, Tahir Ali Jawed, District Nazim Zahid Nazir, City Tehsil Nazim, Mumtaz Ali Cheema, MNA Asim Nazir and local leadership of the PML-QA said the masses wanted to see a developed and prosperous country for which President Musharraf should stay in uniform.

It was the biggest workers' convention of the ruling party during the last couple of years. The workers from the other tehsils -- Samundri, Jaranwala, Chak Jhumra and Tandlianwala -- came to the venue of the convention on buses, tractor-trolleys and wagons.