LAHORE, Feb 2: The Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam) on Saturday blamed the PML (Functional) leader Pir Pagara for the fall of Junejo government, the Ghous Ali Shah government in Sindh and fragmentation of the party.

At a news conference held here by PML(QA) Lahore president Akhtar Rasool, provincial secretary-general Arshad Khan Lodhi, information secretary Akram Chaudhry, joint-secretary Ramazan Bhatti and former MNA Tariq Banday, the Pir was described variously as non-serious, irresponsible and dishonest.

The speakers were apparently reacting to the Sindhi leader’s remarks against the PML(QA) leadership a couple of days ago.

Mr Rasool said results of the previous elections had established beyond doubt that the Pir lacked popular support. He said the Functional League chief could not be allowed to blackmail the party on account of its desire for unity. He told a reporter that he had never favoured contacts with the Pir.

He alleged that the Sindhi leader had received Rs80 million from some Lakhani, but did not elaborate the charge.

Mr Lodhi said the PML(QA) was contacting other parties to seek their cooperation despite being the biggest party in the country. Political parties, he said, never closed the doors to talks.