News
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
PPP reaches out to PML-Q
Daily Times Monitor
LAHORE: After getting a green signal from the Presidency, Federal Law Minister Babar Awan held a key meeting with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader and former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi at his residence, a private TV channel reported on Monday. The law minister called on Elahi and discussed matters of mutual concern as well as the country’s current situation. The meeting took place following a green signal from the president and after taking the prime minister into confidence. The two leaders also discussed the possibilities of cooperation between the two parties. Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said that PML-Q would not be part of any conspiracy against democracy. He said that the party leadership favoured a national approach on national issues. The two leaders met one-on-one during the first round of the meeting, and were later joined by local leaders from both the parties. They laid stress on a working relationship between all the political parties. Addressing the media after the meeting, Awan and Elahi agreed on the need to preserve the democratic system in the country. Elahi said that he believed in politics of principles and national issues should be resolved by sitting together. He said his party would support the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government in stabilising democracy. Elahi said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led Punjab government had failed and was engaged in vengeful activities. He said national problems could be solved through reconciliation only. Awan observed that the prestige of parliament and democracy were the result of great sacrifices and now it was an obligation upon all of us to defend and safeguard these achievements. “There is no place for arrogance in politics and there should be respect for all parties, whether inside or outside the parliament,” he added. “We met Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in the past and we would continue to do so in future as well,” he said, adding that he would convey to the prime minister some good suggestions given by the PML-Q leader. The law minister said that people voted on agenda instead of opposition. “Both the parties have same interests, and the PPP respects mandate of the PML-Q,” he added. According to sources, PPP has decided to boost links with the PML-Q following efforts by the PML-N and other Muslim League factions for a political alliance.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk