KARACHI, July 7: A scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and veteran Pakistan Muslim League leader Pir Pagara could not take place on Wednesday because the latter excused himself by saying he was 'indisposed'.

The prime minister was scheduled to meet Pir Sahib at the Kingri House, along with Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, to seek his support for Mr Aziz in the by-election for the NA-229, Tharparker, seat.

Sources close to the Kingri House told journalists that Pir Sahib declined to meet Chaudhry Shujaat to express his displeasure over 'unilateral' distribution of PML offices, particularly the nomination of Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh as the party's secretary-general for Sindh. Pir Sahib was quoted by the sources as saying that he was considering separating his group from the unified Muslim League.