News
Saturday, March 01, 2008 S
Fazl ‘declines’ to meet Shujaat, refers him to Sherani: Shujaat seeks JUI-F’s support to secure Musharraf’s future
* Former coalition partners to meet on Tuesday
By Irfan Ghauri
ISLAMABAD: After losing the Feb 18 political battle to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the former ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) president, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, has geared up efforts to secure the future of President Pervez Musharraf. Hussain, as a first step, approached his party’s former covert ally at centre and overt ally in Balochistan – Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) – on Friday and called a meeting of former ruling coalition on Tuesday. Sources said Hussain’s meeting with Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, Balochistan JUI-F chief, at the latter’s residence mainly focused on seeking cooperation of Maulana Fazlur Rehman-led JUI-F in annulling possible moves of upcoming government against President Musharraf and to foil attempts of bringing amendments to the constitution. Meeting declined: The sources said that Hussain had shown interest in meeting Rehman, but the JUI-F chief declined saying he (Shujaat) may meet Sherani. A close aide of Sherani, who also attended the meeting, told Daily Times that besides JUI’s cooperation in government formation in Balochistan, Hussain also sought JUI-F’s support for President Musharraf’s post-Nov 3 acts and opposing his possible impeachment by coming parliament. Hussain later told reporters that the meeting discussed issues including formation of coalition government in Balochistan. “This meeting was not only for government formation, but it also discussed overall political situation. It does not matter whether or not we form a coalition government but we want that our cooperation should continue like before,” he said. Answering a question, the PML-Q chief his party would decide the nominee for its parliamentary leader in Balochistan in a couple of days. Maulana Sherani said he would take up the issues discussed in the party meeting and the party’s decision would be final. About JUI’s meeting with PPP and PML-Q simultaneously, Sherani said his party was listening to views of all parties, but it would take decision in best interest of country and “ummah”. CEC meeting: Shujaat later met with Aftab Ahmed Sherpao and discussed the country’s current political situation. Before the meeting of coalition partners, PML-Q’s Central Executive Committee will meet today (Saturday). It would be the first meeting of the CEC after the elections. The party’s political policy and issue of dissident group in the Senate top the agenda. PML-Q is also likely to announce its parliamentary leader in the National Assembly in this meeting.
Courtesy Daily Times