ISLAMABAD, Aug 3: The Pakistan Muslim League (Q) vice- president, Ijazul Haq, on Saturday announced to separate his group in the party as a protest against, what he termed, large- scale irregularities committed by some party leaders to defeat him in the intra-party elections.

He was speaking at a news conference held at a local hotel after Mian Azhar was declared successful as the party president. He said: “Soon, I will announce my programme, but as for today, I have been elected by some 750 members of general council and members of Ziaul Haq foundation as the PML president.”

Earlier, hectic efforts were made by senior party leaders, including Chaudhri Shujaat, till late Friday night, to persuade Mr Haq to withdraw his candidature against Mian Azhar. He was also offered the office of party chairman.

Flanked by his brother, Dr Anwarul Haq, and encircled by a sizable number of party workers, Mr Haq told reporters that he had informed the Election Commission about the gross irregularities committed in the intra-party elections. He said he had also submitted the complete details of his correspondence with the party and would make a decision to move court in light of the commission’s action.

He claimed that he was the first person who had taken the initiative to form the PML (Q) after October 1999, and he wanted to strengthen the real democratic traditions by putting himself as presidential candidate.

He, however, claimed that conspiracies were started against him and misleading statements issued as soon as he announced his candidature.