The Prime Minister-designate Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and ARD nominee for the slot of premier Makhdoom Amin Fahim on Monday filed their nomination papers, which were accepted.
Outgoing Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali proposed the name of the PML leader, which was seconded by Rao Sikandar Iqbal, Ejazul Haq, Giyan Chand Singh, Aftab Khan Sherpao and Munir Orakzai.
The Parliament House witnessed hectic activity till the papers were filed at the NA Secretariat.
Before their nominations, Chaudhry Shujaat chaired the ruling party and its allies meeting while Makhdoom Amin presided over meeting of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy.
Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal decided not to field any candidate and stick to its stance of backing ARD's imprisoned Vice-President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi. However, this possibility fizzled out as the democratic alliance decided to field Makhdoom Amin.
MMA has convened a special meeting of its supreme council before the session of the National Assembly on Tuesday to decide whether or not to back the ARD candidate.
It is worth mentioning that Jamali stayed away from the ruling allies meeting and could not be traced by the inquisitive media persons.
Talking to newsmen, after filing his papers, Shujaat said that the decision to make Shaukat Aziz the Prime Minister has been taken to further consolidate the national economy. He expressed the hope that Shaukat would boost the economy with his consistent policies.
He said President Musharraf fully supported the contention that the ruling party should give guideline to the government, as it has direct contact with the masses.
PML leader asserted that he was not going to become a caretaker prime minister. "I will be a Prime Minister, and calling me caretaker or interim premier would be improper," he contended.
In response to a question, he said that Shaukat Aziz would contest for the National Assembly seat from any of the four provinces, as many lawmakers had offered to surrender their seats for him.
In this connection, he said that the party would decide from which constituency he should contest the election. Senator Shaukat will quit the Senate seat, Shujaat said.
He brushed aside the impression that some PML and ruling allied parties' MNAs had expressed reservations on naming Shaukat as premier.
PML leader did not agree with a questioner that he did hectic lobbying for bagging the slot of Prime Minister. "I can say on oath that neither I nor Shaukat lobbied," he asserted.
About the cabinet, Shujaat said that consultations were on, however, he added that majority of the party leaders have advocated for giving the former ministers the same portfolios they had earlier.
Meanwhile, an ARD delegation comprising Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Mahmood Achakzai, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Tehmina Daultana met the Speaker National Assembly, Chaudhry Amir Hussain, requesting him to issue production order for Javed Hashmi.
They contended that being member of the House, it was his right to participate in the election of the Leader of the House.
However, the Speaker, receiving a written application, promised to look into the matter and will act according to the rules.
Talking to journalists, Makhdoom Amin said that he filed papers after ARD unanimously decided to nominate him.
He said Jamali had done nothing wrong but he became a victim of intrigues. "Jamali's resignation has changed the political scene altogether," he remarked.
Qazi Hussain Ahmed of MMA rejected the PPP-P allegation that by offering support to PML (N) leader Javed Hashmi, the religious alliance wanted to weaken the ARD.
"This is absolutely not correct. Did PML (N) divided ARD when, in contrast to PPP-P, it had supported Maulana Fazlur Rehman for the slot of Leader of the House in 2002?" he asked.
In response to a question, Qazi said that MMA could consider backing Chaudhry Shujaat had he been made Prime Minister until new elections are held.
Comments
Comments are closed.