ISLAMABAD, Nov 17: The Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians may nominate Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan for the speaker of National Assembly.

The final decision in this respect would be taken during the meeting of the parliamentary party on Monday, said a senior party office-bearer here on Sunday.

The President of PPP, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, has said they are part of the ARD and would follow the decision of the alliance for the future setup.

Talking to newsmen after an Iftar-dinner hosted by him in honour of the ARD leaders and elected members, he said the party would finalize its candidates for top parliamentary slots by Monday and submit their names to the ARD for final decision in consultation with the component parties of the alliance and the MMA.

He said that consultation for national consensus “is in progress” and he “is still optimistic in this respect.”

“There is a need of unity in the country and I am working for a broad-based government of national consensus,” Amin added. When asked about the delay in reaching a decision, he said that he was bound to follow party discipline as, in keeping with the democratic principles, the slots would be finalized in consultation with other party colleagues.

He said they would conclude their consultations by Monday.

When asked about Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman as candidate for the PM’s office, he said the MMA had nominated him but the final decision would be taken by the ARD.

“We may choose one of the parliamentary slots in consultation with the MMA and ARD,” he added.

To a question concerning the LFO and 58(2)b, he said they had taken oath under the 1973 Constitution. However, parliament was the supreme body, with powers to do and undo anything.

He said that politicians were demanding that there should be a balance of power, instead of absolute power.

Regarding formation of the government, he said they believed in democracy and would try to form government, “otherwise sit on opposition benches.”—APP