PML-Q to withdraw two Senate election candidates

PML-Q to withdraw two Senate election candidates 

Tuesday, 17 Feb, 2009 | 08:09 PM PST | 
 
 
PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Senator Mushahid Hussain addressing a press conference.-APP File Photo 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q), as result of an understanding with the PML(N) has announced to withdraw its two candidates, Senators Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Razina Alam from the contest to clear the path for party president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to win his sole Senate seat from Punjab.

Sources said that the PML-Q had preferred PML-N over the PPP which had offered cooperation in Senate polls and its leaders including former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvaiz Elahi had held numerous meetings with president Zardari’s representatives. The party top brass, sources claimed doubted sincerity of the ruling party and feared it may even loose one senate seat in the bargain. 
   
Sources said, leaders of both parties, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Mushahid Hussain from the PML-Q and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Ishaq Dar had two-days parleys in Lahore in which both the sides agreed to make Senate elections in Punjab free of horse trading.

These talks were held with the permission of PML-N chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. 

Speaking at a joint news conference at the party secretariat here on Tuesday, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Mushahid Hussain Sayed appreciated what they termed as goodwill gesture shown by Nawaz Sharif and the cooperation extended by other PML-N leaders Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Ishaq Dar. 

Responding to a query whether it was beginning of a larger understanding including chance of reunion of the two league factions, PML-Q president said, 'We are ready to cooperate with every party in the larger interest of the country'. 

   
Mushahid said his withdrawal along with Senator Razina Alam Khan was to avoid the past traditions of massive horse trading and to avoid a situation in which party could have lost even one seat of Chaudhry Shujaat on basis of its numerical strength.

He said his party wanted a broader understanding among all the political forces of the country to steer it out of crisis situation for, no single party was in a position achieve this objective.

Referring to what he termed as positive signals from the rival PML-N leadership Mr. Hussain said 'We want to take this positive note forward as we have held open hearted dialogue and hope is that atmosphere of understanding will further grow'.