Nawaz will come to govt's rescue: Shujaat

Shujaat meets Fazlur Rehman; condemns Gilani's decision to sack Swati without informing party head.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chief Chaudhry Shujaat said on Friday that Nawaz Sharif will come to the government's rescue if its stability is threatened.

After holding a meeting with Jamiat-e-Ulamae-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Mualana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad, he talked to the media and condemned Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani's decision to sack Azam Swati without informing the party head. He also said the provincial governments in Punjab and Balochistan could be changed.

PML-Q leader Mushahid Hussain said the country's political scenario has been transformed by the JUI-F's decision to quit the government.

JUI-F to decide future strategy

The central executive committee of JUI-F has decided to hold an emergency meeting on December 22 in Islamabad to discuss the current political situation. The central spokesperson of JUI-F, Maulana Muhammad Amjad Khan, said the participants of the meeting will decide the future strategy of the party. He said the government has closed the doors for his party, but Maulana Fazalur Rehman will attend the dinner hosted by President Zardari in honour of the Chinese premier.

War of words

Meanwhile, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain is issuing statements about establishing his party's rule in the province to please himself.

Talking to Express News, he said the PML-Q is losing its strength in Punjab as its members are leaving the party. Sanaullah said the PML-Q has no support even in Balochistan. He claimed that PML-Q legislators left their party soon after winning the 2008 elections. The Punjab law minister went on to say that the PML-Q was created by a dictator as he had wanted to legalise his rule.

Earlier, PML-Q Like-Minded leader Saleem Saifullah  called Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain to discuss the current political situation. Saifullah stressed the need for dialogue to resolve the current political impasse. He also said that his party would not support the RGST bill as it is against the interest of people. However, he said the government should be given time to complete its tenure.