PM, Shujaat sound out Pagara on alliance

KARACHI, Oct 27: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday reviewed the law and order situation in the country, especially in the aftermath of the Oct 18 attack on the Pakistan People’s Party rally, and held consultations with allies of the Pakistan Muslim League to strengthen the ruling platform in the run-up to the general elections.

Officials refused to give details of the discussion on law and order, but sources said the position taken by PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto on the nature and status of inquiry and the evolving situation due to hardening positions on both sides was a matter of concern for everyone.

At the end of the meeting held at the Sindh Governor’s House, it was resolved that the ruling coalition would contest elections as a single bloc.

PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri, provincial Minister for Women Development Saeeda Malik and Adviser to CM Tariq Hassan attended the meeting.

While meeting coalition partners separately, the prime minister said that the PML and its allied parties, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, would jointly participate in the elections and he was confident of forming the next government.

Recognising the possibility of tempers rising during elections, Mr Aziz said the government would ensure law and order and free, fair and transparent polls.

MEETING WITH PAGARA: The prime minister also met PML (F) chief Pir Pagara at his Kingri House, declaring later the ruling coalition will stay united and win the elections.

PML chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who has been critical of Pir Pagara of late, Governor Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Arbab Rahim accompanied him.

“We will win the upcoming general elections and continue to stay together in the next government,” Mr Aziz told reporters after the meeting.

It was no doubt a ‘very important’ meeting because the PML chief had also come to meet the Pir.

He described the meeting of great benefit and declared: “We are committed to working towards building a country where there is development and peace and we are also striving to achieve such a political climate which is conducive for further stability of the democratic process”.

In reply to a question about the meeting between Pir Pagara and Chaudhry Shujaat, he said: “We are one and the same and working for the progress of the country.”

Chaudhry Shujaat said: “I am only a worker of the Muslim League while the chief of the party is Pir Sahab Pagara,” and added “Right from day one we considered him (Pir Pagara) our chief.”

When asked whether the PML would be able to overwhelmingly beat the PPP in Punjab, Chaudhry Shujaat declared his party will defeat the PPP all over the country, and not jut in Punjab.

In reply to a question regarding the formation of a grand alliance, Pir Pagara said it was totally up to President General Musharraf. “If he has taken lessons from the past, then definitely he would be able to choose right people for the alliance,” he added.

The grand alliance, he said, would be formed by General Musharraf.

Commenting on the emerging political scenario, the PML (F) chief said all the guns had been directed at the PPP.

The meeting with Pir Pagara was seen as part of ruling party’s effort to strengthen anti-PPP coalition for coming elections.

Later, the prime minister also held a meeting with the legislators belonging to the ruling coalition at the Chief Minister’s House.

APP adds: Speaking in a TV programme, Chaudhry Shujaat said the PML was ready for reconciliation with other political parties.

He expressed sorrow over the Karachi blasts and said it was unfortunate that baseless allegations were being levelled against his party leadership.

The PML chief said the PPP had benefited from the National Reconciliation Ordinance.

He said the national and all the provincial assemblies took part in the presidential election and even opposition parties participated and lent the legitimacy to the process by fielding their candidates.

Chaudhry Shujaat said he would not support the demand that the local bodies should be dissolved, but their powers would be limited to prevent them from interfering in the election process.