KARACHI, Sept 18 The Pakistan Muslim League-Q and the PML-Functional on Saturday announced a merger of the two factions and formation of a new party to be known as All Pakistan Muslim League.

The announcement was made during a visit by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, the PML-Q chief, and Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the party's secretary general, to the residence of Pir Pagara, the PML-F head.

Curiously, the two sides neither announced dissolution of their respective parties nor did they name office-bearers for the new entity.

“It is not unification but assimilation of Muslim League,” Pir Pagara said while talking to media after the meeting.

Pir Pagara, who is related to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, brushed aside talk of a caretaker set-up.

He, however, said in a lighter vein that “those who decide such matters won't bother to seek my permission before taking any action”.

This is not the first time that the two factions have expressed an intent to join hands and work from one platform.

Intriguingly enough, the name they have chosen is the same as mooted by former president Pervez Musharraf for his party.

Pir Pagara said that “we have ironed out difference by holding talks”, inviting all “like-minded elements” to join the new party.

Pir Pagara, in a characteristic exchange of banter with journalists, said “Mian Nawaz Sharif and Pervez Musharraf have not approached me. But we will welcome Mr Nawaz if he contacts us”.

About Tehrik-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan, he said “He will be left alone if he does not side with us.”

The spiritual leader of the Hurs recalled a 'prophecy' he made after the birth of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in 1988 that “he (Bilawal) belonged to us .... he will be made secretary general of Muslim League”.

About the role of Ejazul Haq (the son of ex-president Ziaul Haq) in the newly formed Muslim League, he said his role will be the same as one can expect of “a son of a military ruler”.

Chaudhry Shujaat, ostensibly leaving room for wriggling out at a convenient time, said he had asked Pir Pagara to assume the role of “my patron”.

Talking to newsmen, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat said there was no harm in merger of Muslim League factions and that only a “united party can help rescue the nation from the precipice”.

He said “we want a leadership which is acceptable to all and there is no better choice than Pir Pagara”.