AJK PM Gilani meets Shah Ghulam Qadir to ease party tensions over his nomination

Qadir voices displeasure over party favouring Gilani, a junior leader, over seniority and tradition

MUZAFFARABAD:

Newly elected Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Barrister Iftikhar Gilani on Saturday met PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir at his residence in Islamabad in an apparent bid to mend ties with the senior party leader, who has expressed resentment over what he described as the party leadership’s decision to ignore seniority and established traditions while nominating Gilani for the top office.

Gilani visited Qadir’s residence in Bani Gala and sought his cooperation for the success of the new government. The meeting assumes significance as Qadir had opposed Gilani’s nomination, boycotted the AJK Legislative Assembly session convened to elect the prime minister and did not vote for Gilani.

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According to sources present during the meeting, Qadir told Gilani that he had no personal differences with him and regarded him as a younger brother, but remained firm on his principled position regarding the manner in which the nomination for the prime minister’s office was made.

Qadir, according to the sources, expressed his displeasure with the party leadership for departing from tradition and preferring a junior member over a senior leader holding the party presidency.

A statement issued by the AJK government after the meeting said Qadir congratulated Gilani and conveyed his best wishes for his success. Gilani appreciated Qadir’s role in the PML-N’s electoral success and expressed hope that the senior leader would guide his government with his valuable advice in promoting good governance in line with the vision of PML-N supremo Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Qadir also advised the prime minister to improve governance, ensure merit in decision-making and resolve the problems of party workers on a priority basis.