`PML-Q prefers national agenda to portfolios`

LAHORE, April 28: Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the PML-Q candidate for deputy prime minister slot if his party joins the PPP government, on Thursday again lent moral dimension to his political bargain by claiming that "we are not interested in the cabinet slots but in national agenda, which is more important to take the country out of multiple crises". He was talking to the media at the residence of former Lahore nazim Mian Amer Mehmood after condoling the death of his mother. Pervaiz said Shujaat Husain was in touch with the MQM and Maulana Fazlur Rahman of the JUI-F and the future course of action would be chalked out in consultation with them. "Our party is not interested in ministries or adviser slots as we have enjoyed them many a time. Our efforts are aimed at finding some way to bring Pakistan out of its abysmal conditions. Unless parties evolve a meaningful consensus and give nation a unified national agenda, no positive change will come about," he claimed. Pervaiz said: "If we sincerely desire betterment of the country, we must shun egoistic attitude, be positive and adopt forgive-and-forget policy." The party has authorised Shujaat Husain to decide about joining the government or not. He was authorised after a long consultative process in the party, involving leaders and workers from all over the country. In Punjab alone, more than 350 party workers were consulted and they unanimously authorised Shujaat for the final decision. The PML-Q wants a national government and a joint action plan to be followed, he said and claimed: "Our foremost obligation is to guard national interests and solve the problems of people." He also took the occasion to invite the Leaguers, who had joined the N-League, to return to their parent party. "Many dissidents have already returned or expressed their desire to do so. It`s time for homecoming," he said. He also reiterated his party`s demands for creating a new province in south Punjab and Hazara Division but opposed the division of Sindh. To a question about Pervez Musharraf claiming that the Punjab CM sent force for Lal Masjid operation, he said one must not forget that Islamabad was a federal territory and the central government was authorised to call personnel from any province. He also accused the Punjab government of failing to bring down soaring crime rate. "After every 10 minutes, a robbery is taking place in the province."