ISLAMABAD, July 30: Several members of the National Assembly belonging to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League during a parliamentary party meeting held here on Monday protested against what they called keeping the party in the dark about government’s contacts with PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto and reaching an understanding with her which they feared could hurt their position in the elections.
When they demanded details of the understanding reached between President Pervez Musharraf and Ms Bhutto, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz pointed towards party president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and the latter said: “What can I tell you when nothing has happened at all”.
Chaudhry Shujaat, however, asked the party MPs to remain patient because the immediate task before the party was re-election of Gen. Musharraf for the next term by the present assemblies and after that “we can take up other issues.”
The attendance at the meeting summoned by Chaudhry Shujaat at the Prime Minister’s House was thin with only about 70 MNAs present.
Some members asked the party leadership to take steps to boost the party’s chances in the elections forge electoral alliance with like-minded parties, including the MMA.
Prime Minister Aziz and Chaudhry Shujaat, however, reiterated the party line of contesting the polls along with the coalition partners and not going for an alliance with any other party, including the PPP.
The prime minister said that the presidential elections would be held on schedule, between September 15 and October 15 this year, to be followed by general elections.
About reports of contacts with opposition parties, the prime minister did not mention the Abu Dhabi meeting, but said that communication and dialogue with other parties was a continuous process in order to ensure fair and free elections. “It is our desire to pave the way for peaceful elections through mutual consultations,” he said.
The prime minister reiterated that the PML and its allies would contest the elections from a single platform and the present assembly would complete its tenure until November 15, 2007. The members were asked to focus on the registration of voters in their respective constituencies and ensure that all eligible voters got the opportunity to use their right to vote.
Chaudhry Shujaat assured the legislators that all decisions would be taken in the interest of the party and all members would be taken into confidence on important matters. He said that party tickets would be given on merit and the present legislators would get preference.
Earlier, Minister for Interior Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao briefed the meeting on the law and order situation and informed about the government’s commitment to ensure peace and security. The militancy, he said, would be checked at all cost and miscreants will be taken to task. The extremist elements would not be allowed to disrupt peace, he added.