ISLAMABAD, Jan 11: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has declared 2003 as the Year of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah.

He announced it while speaking at the PML-Q general council meeting on Saturday to confirm the elections of party president and secretary-general.

The parliamentary party leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam), Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, and Salim Saifullah were elected unopposed as president and secretary-general of the party, respectively. The council confirmed their elections unanimously and endorsed the decisions taken by PML-Q central working committee on Dec 31.

The prime minister, who had performed as a bodyguard of Ms Jinnah during her visit to Balochistan, said: “To pay homage to the younger sister of the founder of Pakistan as a crusader for democracy we will remember her by celebrating 2003 as the Year of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah.”

He recounted the meritorious services of Ms Jinnah for upholding the democratic values by confronting the Convention Muslim League of Ayub Khan.

He asked the party leaders and activists to work together for the glory of the country.

The premier said that the party leadership and workers ought to be flexible without compromising on the basic principles. “We have enough time to perform and show our mettle.”

HE SAID: “I have resigned as secretary-general of PML-Q according to the constitution of the party and we have set healthy traditions in the party. Our traditions are truly democratic and not like the previous leaders who at the same time also held party presidentship.”