MULTAN, April 15: Multan district council unanimously resolved on Monday to support President Gen Pervez Musharraf in the referendum.

The special meeting, attended by about 100 of 180 councillors, was marred by rowdyism. Naib Nazim Malik Amer Dogar presided over the extra-ordinary session. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Nazim, was not present.

Speaking on a point of order, Tariq Naeemullah, an opposition member, said Mr Qureshi should accept the will of the house or resign. Begum Naseem Chaudhry, a councillor, condemned Mr Naeemullah for “always disturbing the proceedings.” Mr Naeemullah allegedly used some abusive words for Begum Chaudhry. This prompted three or four councillors from the Nazim’s group to attack Naeemullah who, in the end, got a sound thrashing. The convener, however, intervened and prevented the situation from getting worse. Mr Dogar, constituted a three member committee to ease the tension. A press conference was, later, told the rowdysm in the session had been caused by a misunderstanding and that both sides had realized this.

The resolution said the district council supported the referendum to ensure continuity of the present government’s policies.

In their speeches, most of the councillors also hailed the leadership of Nazim Shah Mahmood Qureshi.