ISLAMABAD, May 4: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali on Monday formally announced his candidature for the office of secretary-general of the unified Pakistan Muslim League for which he got instant support from smaller factions who will cease to exist on May 12 , sources told Dawn.

They said the prime minister was asked by PML-J leader Hamid Nasir Chattha at the League factions meeting at the Prime Minister's House on Monday if he was serious in his offer that he would be available if the party offered him the post of secretary-general.

The prime minister replied: "I am ready to serve the party in any capacity. Whatever responsibility is assigned to me I will fulfil it with the best of my capability." PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who was present in the meeting, remained silent as did Senator S.M. Zafar and others.

Other decisions taken by the meeting presided over by Mr Jamali included holding of another factions' heads meeting on May 10, their separate general councils meetings on May 11 to adopt resolutions for the dissolution of party associations, and holding of a joint general council meeting on May 12.

Besides approving the unification plan, the joint general council will okay party's new constitution and elect office-bearers other than the president as Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has already been named for the slot.

The prime minister's remarks were not taken seriously by the participants of the Sunday meeting. However, on Monday when the matter was seriously discussed, all but Chaudhry Shujaat supported the idea. The list of supporters included Hamid Nasir Chattha, Mian Manzoor Wattoo, Sultan Mehmud Khan, Imtiaz Sheikh and Ijazul Haq.

Chief organizer of PML-F Kunwar Qutubuddin said: "It appeared Chaudhry Shujaat did not agree with the move and that is why he did not offer any comment and left the PM House before other participants."

Other faction leaders also supported the idea, while the PML-F leaders said they were ready to withdraw their candidate if Mr Jamali was serious in his 'bid. When newsmen asked Mr Jamali whether he was willing to assume the party office, he said: "Whatever responsibility the party assigns to me, I will fulfil it with the best of my abilities."