PESHAWAR, Dec 25: Differences erupted within the provincial PML on Saturday when its chief criticized the party information secretary for a threat to the MMA government.
He said the MMA had come into power democratically and the federal government had no right to dismiss its government.
Earlier in the day, the provincial information secretary had said that the MMA government could be removed if it did not change its policies.
The Pakistan Muslim League, NWFP chapter, had organized a function on the 128th birth anniversary of the Quaid-i-Azam and its president Agha Syed Ali Shah was scheduled to attend the event as chief guest.
But when Mr Shah could not reach the venue, information secretary Moazzam Butt not only cut the cake, but also addressed a press conference.
Mr Butt had warned that the MMA government could be thrown out of power within minutes if the religious bloc did not revise its policies. The PML wanted dialogue with the MMA on national issues and it should response positively, he said.
He also condemned Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) central chief Altaf Hussain for a statement against the two-nation theory.
The secretary maintained that the MMA should not exploit non-issues. The people of the province were confronting challenges. The provincial PML would resist and protest if the government failed to find a permanent solution to their problems, he said and added that the federation was bound to give provincial rights to the NWFP.
He said a disciplinary action would be taken against PML senior vice-president Manzoor-ul-Haq Qureshi for issuing a statement that the general election would be held in 2005. He also highlighted the efforts of the Quaid-i-Azam for the nation.
Later in the day, provincial party president Agha Syed Ali Shah was to preside over another function of Jinnah's birth anniversary.
But when he reached the venue, the function had wound up. Mr Shah got angry, had another cake arranged and cut it to celebrate the birth anniversary.
Speaking on the occasion, the PML president criticized the secretary information and challenged his powers to take the disciplinary action against the senior vice-president.
The secretary information, he said, should think twice before issuing such provoking statements, when "I am the president of the party".
The party chief said the MMA had come into power democratically. It would be ridiculous and undemocratic to remove the MMA government, but it could be criticized or condemned for its policies, which was a democratic way.
He also highlighted the role of the Quaid-i-Azam in the struggle for the independence.