LAHORE, Dec 29: Commerce minister Humayun Akhtar said on Sunday the new PML-Q president would be elected by the party through a democratic process, and at present Chaudhry Shujaat Husain was the only candidate to the slot.

Talking to reporters at a local hotel after attending a book-launching ceremony, he said the new president would be elected through the prescribed procedure. The party would invite applications for the post from amongst its members, he said.

When asked about Mian Azhar’s remarks about his future course of action reported in a section of the press, Mr Akhtar said he had always been of the view that political parties were institutions which were not owned by anyone.

He said the PML-Q did not revolve around personalities, and it would elect its new president through a democratic process.

The minister said more MNAs would give vote of confidence to Mir Zafarullah Jamali than had elected him as prime minister.