Planning ahead: Likeminded group calls for unifying all PML factions

Salim Saifullah says Nawaz should get all parties on board, ignore ‘petty issues’.

PESHAWAR: The PML-Likeminded has called for uniting all factions of the Pakistan Muslim League.

Salim Saifullah Khan, a senior member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Likeminded, said that the Leagues should merge. He added that the unification of the PML factions was bound to benefit PML-N President Nawaz Sharif.

At a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, Saifullah said his faction was in consultation with the PML-N for the past eight months, but so far no breakthrough had been made.

“Mian saab should look at the bigger picture and ignore petty issues,” he said, adding that senior leaders must show flexibility over the matter. “As Nawaz’s faction is the largest, he will inevitably head the new party if the factions are unified.”

He admitted that merging all factions would be difficult, but added that he was hopeful about reaching a consensus.

He, however, already disagrees with Nawaz’s political moves. “Nawaz Sharif should get all parties on board instead of going for a head-on collision with the government.”  The former senator said a long march or major confrontation will adversely affect the country.

Following the Supreme Court’s verdict, which declared Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in contempt of court, the PML-N has been demanding the prime minister’s resignation. On Wednesday, the opposition party announced its schedule for countrywide protests.

Early elections

He called for early elections and said if a government does not deliver in four years it should not be allowed to govern for another year. Saifullah also proposed shortening the length of term of national and provincial assemblies from five years to four years.