‘Clash’ between Asif, Fahim averted

[mujahideen]

Political chessboard has still been laid: Amin Fahim

ISLAMABAD: PPP Senior Vice President Makhdoom Amin Fahim has said that the political chessboard has still been laid. He stated this while giving joint briefing to media along with Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazal-u-Rehman after meeting between the two leaders. Fahim termed said that the meeting was not a political but a personal one. The meeting was said as part of consultation process for the formation of the new government in the centre and provinces. Referring to meeting with Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali, Fahim said it was not a fixed meeting.

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

Asfandyar Wali regrets to meet Fahim

ISLAMABAD: Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali has regretted to meet PPP Senior Vice President Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the sources said. Asfandyar Wali has regretted to meet Makhdoom Amin Fahim today (Friday) due very busy schedule, said the spokesman of ANP Zahid Khan said. The meeting was part of consultation process for the formation of the new government in the centre and provinces.

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

No intention to create forward bloc: Fahim

NAVEED BUTT

ISLAMABAD - Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that he would not like any division within Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and nomination of Prime Minister is an internal affair of the party.
“I have no right to interfere in the internal affairs of PPP. I will support any decision of the PPP leadership on issue of candidate for the slot of Prime Minister,” Fazlur Rehman told the media after meeting PPP-Parliamentarian President Makhdoom Amin Fahim here Friday.
Refuting rumours about the formation of a separate party, PPP-Parliamentarian President Makhdoom Amin Fahim said that such rumours are baseless and just fuelling the fire.
He also stressed that there is no question whatsoever regarding the formation of ‘forward bloc’ in PPP. “I am a strong contender for the slot of Prime Minister, if PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari wants to become Prime Minister, I will immediately support him,” he said.
Meanwhile, Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan on Friday excused to hold meeting with PPP-Parliamentarian President Makhdoom Amin Fahim, said ANP Information Secretary Zahid Khan told TheNation here Friday. He said Asfandyar Wali has excused that he (Asfandyar Wali) could not meet Amin Fahim due to his busy schedule.
Zahid Khan further added that Makhdoom Amin had phoned him around 10:00am as Asfandyar’s phone was busy and asked him for holing meeting with Asfandyar. But Asfandyar Wali excused because of his other engagements, he said. Asfandyar had made it clear to media that the nomination of a candidate for the slot of Prime Minister is the eternal matter of PPP.
APP adds: President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Makhdoom Amin Fahim Friday said that party’s Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari will not nominate another person as candidate for Prime Minister.
“When he nominates someone else the question should be asked by me, so far he has not nominated anyone”, the PPPP President said while responding to a question in his brief telephonic interview to a private television channel.
Asked to comment on Ch Ahmed Mukhtar’s claim of being a strong candidate for the slot Makhdoom Fahim said, there are other people also who make similar claims.
Anyone found making such claims has the right to do so, he said. Fahim said unknown individuals from the party are giving signals but he will believe in only those signals which are given by Asif Ali Zardari.
It is the responsibility of Asif Ali Zardari and the party leadership to end the ongoing confusion adding an earlier step in this regard would be good for the party.
To a question he said there was no political purpose of his meeting with JUI F Chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

Makhdoom out of the race?

Abrar Saeed

ISLAMABAD—It’s not just the Pakistan People’s Party’s leadership that the stalemate over the premiership is unnerving; the whole nation wants to see an end to this impasse as well. The whole issue is, in a way, casting doubts on the acumen and competence of the politicians.
Though the issue of premiership is still vague but one thing is turning out to be crystal clear: the Makhdoom from Halla is running short of options and with every passing day he is drifting away from the top slot, for which a number of party aspirants are in the run, both overtly and covertly.
The party leadership was unaware of the developments of past couple of days as the matter was between Makhdoom Amin Fahim and party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and both were tight lipped about content their meetings.
Asif Ali Zardari had not even talked to the media about the developments of these meetings while Makhdoom Amin Fahim had just said that the meeting was held in cordial manner and still he was a strong candidate for the slot of PM.
At the same time, he said that if Asif Ali Zardari expressed his desire for the top slot, he would not hesitate even for a minute to nominate him for the post.
People from within the close circles in the party, however, said that though apparently there was a deadlock on the matter between the two leaders, the matter had actually been resolved and now they were waiting for the dust to settle down to make a formal announcement about the decision.
These sources said that the formal announcement on the subject would be made after the elections of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
Some of the sources said that the candidature of Makhdoom Amin Fahim for the slot of PM was put in doubt after the Murree meeting between the PPP and PML(N) leadership, wherein the PML(N) side had stressed upon Asif Ali Zardari to get himself into the driving seat, as the coalition could only implement its agenda when a person like him would be the PM.
Sources privy to the Murree meeting said that the PML(N) side also expressed some reservations about Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who according to them, had strong links with the military establishment.
It was in the follow-up of the meeting that PML(N) central leader Kh. Asif, otherwise a very shrewd politician and a man of calculated words, had said that PML(N) had reservations over the candidature of Makhdoom Amin Fahim for the slot of premiership because of his links with the establishment.
Though the leadership of the PML(N) quickly went for an apology to Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the damage to his reputation had been caused and it forced him to speak out in public about his links with the establishment and on whose behest these were established. The matter further tainted his relations with party Co-Chairman.
The episode of Makhdoom Amin Fahim summoning the meeting of Alliance for Restoration of Democracy on his own and then after no response for the component parties and pressure from the party Co-Chairman to call off that meeting had also added some more negatives to his credit.
On the other hand, the party’s Co-Chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, who had been polished out as a seasoned politician after his rigorous imprisonment, is moving quite cautiously and is calculating each and every move.
Persons working close to the fellow are of the view that by the time Asif Ali Zardari had plugged all the loopholes in the party and left little room for Makhdoom Amin Fahim to play his game to force him to nominate him for the top slot.
Party sources further disclosed that in next couple of days Asif Ali Zardari would bring Makhdoom Amin Fahim to his terms and in case the Makhdoom from Halla would not rope in he would not be in a position to cause much damage to the party.
Some of the sources said that Makhdoom Amin Fahim was offered the slot of Parliamentary Party head of the coalition partners in the National Assembly and a slot of advisor to PM with the status of Federal Minister to his son, for stepping back from the candidature of the premiership.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

He is being double-crossed

Afzal khan

ISLAMABAD - Makhdoom Amin Fahim’s campaign for PPP nomination as candidate for the coveted office of prime minister is baffling in its intensity. He has made it a public issue in the media that has caused immense embarrassment to the party. He insists that he does not want to forge a schism in the party. But nothing could be more divisive than the frenzy and passion with which he has taken cudgels with party leaders on the media.
What we see and hear is uncharacteristic of the Makhdoom that the people had known all these years. The aggression in his tone is unmistakable and distinctly unfamiliar. He is known to be a gentle soul, always commanding respect of friends and foes alike. Suddenly he has adopted a different track. There is even element of threat in his intones.
We are probably witnessing for the first time a phenomenon where a political leader is publicly lobbying for his candidature to the top slot instead of fighting his case within the party. He even tried to meet ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan but got a rebuff. Later he did meet Maulana Fazlur Rehman of the JUI but could not break much ice. Fazl, TheNation has learned, talked to Asif Zardari before receiving Fahim. Afterwards he made it clear that he would not be a party to any move designed to divide the PPP adding that this would be most unfortunate for the nation under present circumstances.
But the people receiving Fahim with open arms are all the president’s men. Altaf Hussain has become his most ardent supporter, so is Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. Hamid Nasir Chattha who first tried to lure Zardari for a PPP takeover of Punjab after three decades, is reported to have a detailed meeting with Fahim on Thursday after he and some other PML-Q leaders had had a lengthy session with the President in the Army House a day earlier.
Makhdoom says he has been meeting Musharraf on behalf of Ms Bhutto and later Zardari. But Asif soon realised that the Presidency was playing a double game with him and was actually promoting Fahim to split the PPP. Like Zia, Musharraf also dreamed of seizing PPP minus Benazir Bhutto. Her death offered him an opportunity to realise that dream through Fahim.
Various permutations are being tossed around. A Fahim-led PPP group of rebels aligning with PML-Q, MQM, independents and others at the centre. But a more plausible proposition is being attempted in Sindh where the PPP has a slender majority. If Fahim is able to slice away a good number of PPP MPAs in the province his son can be installed as chief minister with the help of MQM, PML-Q, PML-F and others.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim has staked his claim to be PM on several premises. Everybody agrees that he has been consistently loyal to the party. He claims he has declined offers of becoming PM a number of times which means he was guided by a realistic assessment of ground realities and implications of his defection. Unfortunately he is not showing the same grasp of public mood that is enormously anti-Musharraf and would not tolerate any perfidy.
He has also cited constitutional arguments to support his case. The PPP contested election under the banner of PPP-Parliamentarian of which he is president. In that capacity, he is entitled to be ‘invited’ by the President to form a government and then demonstrate his majority in the House. Some prominent PPP lawyers like Babar Awan have fallen for this interpretation.
Zia had amended the Constitution in 1985 to introduce this clause of ‘invitation’ and picked up Mohammad Khan Junejo as prime minister and later asked him to prove his majority. But during the debate on the infamous Eighth Amendment Zia had to bow down to many demands of a determined group of independent members led by Haji Saifullah. He dropped the idea of National Security Council. The clause on invitation was given life only up to March 20, 1990. After that the President was required to invite that member of the assembly to form the government who commanded the majority support of members ‘ascertained’ through a vote in the House.
Another twist is being given to the Fourteenth Amendment in Article 63 on defections or violation of party discipline adopted unanimously during Nawaz Sharif’s rule. It is being cited in order to frighten PPP members that they would lose membership if they did not obey the president of the parliamentary party to vote for him as prime minister. Mercifully Musharraf amended this vicious clause which had made the party head a virtual dictator. Instead the amended clause has substituted the party head with the parliamentary party. Further the violations incurring disqualification have been reduced to only three. It now reads:
*A member of a Parliamentary Party composed of a single political party in a House can be disqualified if he:
a) resigns from membership of his parliamentary party or joins another parliamentary party;
b) votes or abstains from voting in the House contrary to any direction issued by the parliamentary party to which he belongs in relation to -
i) election of the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister, or
ii) a vote of confidence or vote of no confidence,
iii) a Money Bill.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

Differences visible as Fahim starts individual contacts

* Fazlur Rehman hopes for PPP unity after meeting Fahim
* Fahim not able to meet Asfandyar Wali

By Zulfiqar Ghuman

ISLAMABAD: Differences between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Zardari and Vice Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim became visible on Friday as Fahim began individual contacts with the party’s coalition partners to secure support.

The party denies internal differences over the candidate for premier, but media reports say both Zardari and Fahim are vying for the office of prime minister.

Fazlur Rehman: Fahim met Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Fazlur Rehman at the Parliament Lodges on Friday. He called it “routine business”. But talking to reporters after the meeting, Fazl said he hoped the PPP would remain united and he would stay away from PPP’s internal issues.

Asfandyar Wali: Fahim said he had also planned to meet Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali but the meeting could not take place because of Wali’s engagements.

Wali met PPP’s Raza Rabbani in his parliamentary chamber on Friday, however. Veteran PPP politician Mir Taj Muhammad Jamali told reporters after a meeting with Zardari that Fahim was still the favourite candidate for prime minister.

Also on Friday the People’s Youth Organisation held a demonstration outside Zardari House urging the co-chairman to become the prime minister.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Major Dad]

Name a few please tell us who they are.

People may be right that Amin Fahim fell out of favour due to his very lukewarm opposition to the government, but what we are overlooking is that he was very close to BB who would always respect him. Makhdoom sahib’s claim that he would meet Musharraf on the behest of BB sounds logical because except for the initial phase of her politics when she would come head-on against the establishment, she would always go for reconciliation and probably the time and circumstances made her mature. May be Amin Fahim, considering to resolve all the issues without going into any clash with the government, thinking that the country and nation has already suffered a lot. Without having love lost for any one let’s ask ourselves that what as a nation we have gained from this all? We are still at square one with our fingers crossed hoping for a Utopian future. Isn’t it ridiculous? On the other hand please do an honest analysis about Zardari’s emergence, whose re-entry to the politics is quite suspicious. Out of nowhere waving a fake ‘Will’, he gave his chocolate boy Bilawal the name ‘Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, just to cling to the chairmanship and then quickly occupied the driving seat by pushing the lad into the background on the pretext of his studies. So now without any contribution for the party except for his so-called imprisonment during which he had a jolly good time, he has nothing to show to people. But one must appreciate him that he is making the fool of everyone. Being an insider, if I tell you that what’s cooking up, it might give you the shock of your life. When Makhdoom sahib entered the politics Zardari had just done away with his nappies, so will it be fair to be unfair?
You are absolutely right that NS and Zardari have given our nation a new hope. After all what else they could give this trodden nation? Francis Beckon said, “Hope is a good breakfast but don’t take it at supper”. Irony is that these jugglers would always serve us ‘delicious hopes’ and that too at supper.
As far as Farooq Sattar or the idiot Altaf Hussain are concerned, let’s not consider them the politicians. These goons in fact have themselves hijacked the political system and are playing with the fate of this country. My ancestors also migrated from UP, India after the partition and I would hate allowing these ‘Ghundas’ to represent us. It’s almost sixty years that Pakistan has been founded. How pity it is that to gain sympathies we still call ourselves ‘Muhajir’? at least I won’t like that for me. Instead of remaining alienated why don’t we become Pakistanis?
Let’s think over it. Shayed kay teray dil maen utter jaye meri baat?

 

[mujahideen]

Pir Pagara announces support for Fahim’s premiership

KARACHI: Spiritual Leader of Hurs and Chief Pakistan Muslim League (Functional), Pir Sahab Pagara Saturday announced his support for President, Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarian Makhdoom Amin Fahim to take over Prime Minister’s post.

After his meeting with former prime minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali here at Kingri House, Pir Pagara said no one deserves the post of premiership more than Makhdoom Amin Fahim.

“Amin Fahim has always supported a just cause and therefore we will support him in all circumstance,” he added.

Pir Pagara said he will welcome Amin Fahim whenever he decided to meet him.

Former prime minister, Mir Zafarullah Jamali on the occasion endorsed the stance of Pir Pagara, saying Makhdoom Amin Fahim continued to remain loyal to PPP and Ms Benazir Bhutto by rejecting the offer of premiership several times in the past.

Now PPP should offer Amin Fahim the post of premiership for which he has earned the right.

Pir Pagara announces support for Fahim’s premiership

 

[mujahideen]

Zardari, Fahim supporters hold premiership rallies

* PSF Punjab president says Zardari enjoys full support of PPP
* Fahim’s supporters say most party members want him as premier

ISLAMABAD: Supporters of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Vice-Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim held separate demonstrations here on Saturday, chanting slogans for the nomination of their leaders as the prime minister. The People’s Students Federation (PSF) of Punjab staged a demonstration in favour of Zardari in front of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club, alongside people from Fahim’s constituency of Hala, who demanded their leader become the country’s premier.

Full support: PSF Punjab President Matloob Shah told the demonstrators that Zardari should be nominated as the country’s premier, as he enjoys full support of the party. He urged the PPP co-chairman to nominate himself for the premiership slot as soon as possible. Shah hoped that Zardari would enact pro-poor policies and bring the country out of its crises.

Conversely, Amin Fahim’s supporters, led by Rab Din Kaka, urged Zardari to nominate Fahim for the office of the premier. Several supporters, carrying banners and placards, said that Fahim had rendered many valuable services to the party. “He is the man who can keep the party intact,” Kaka told the protesters.

Most: Fahim’s supporters said that the situation would worsen if the PPP vice-chairman were not chosen for the slot. They claimed that most party members wanted Fahim in the top slot, alleging that a group within the PPP was attempting to split the party.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

PPP leaders feel pity for Makhdoom Sahib

Sunday, March 16, 2008
By Tariq Butt

ISLAMABAD: While the political career of senior Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim (MAF) is in the doldrums, a number of his colleagues feel pity for him for the treatment he has been meted out by the chief of his mother party.

But most PPP leaders, who privately express solidarity with the soft-spoken MAF but would not openly support him against Co-chairman Asif Zardari for political opportunism, think that the Makhdoom of Hala has highly limited political options to remain relevant in the political arena, particularly in the PPP. "MAF, while sitting at the high moral pedestal, is hitting Zardari on principles for deviating from what the co-chairman voluntarily stated," a Makhdoom sympathiser told The News.

A man of a few words and modest financial means, MAF, who has three wives and 11 children, is these days speaking so much that he has not even during his four-decade-long association with his first and last party.

During Benazir Bhutto's lifetime, he always remained on her right side, remaining mostly quiet, composed and cool. In the immediate future, even MAF supporters in the PPP concede that he does not have much room to operate because Zardari dominates the party. His prospects to manoeuvre may improve when Zardari and his team would bungle and mess up, disenchanting the PPP rank and file. MAF would continue to hope so.

They feel that MAF has become an easy prey of the ruthless game of politics. "He is not revolting against Zardari as he has in mind the fate of those who rebelled against the party in the past. However, there is no Benazir Bhutto alive, who was such an imposing personality that no deserter could damage her party. Zardari isn't and can't be an apt substitute of her. If he doesn't act wisely taking the party along, he may not keep the PPP a cohesive and integrated force," one of them said.

The history of Makhdooms of Hala’s old relationship with the PPP doesn't present any encouraging picture for the members of this decent political-spiritual family.

MAF's younger brother, Makhdoom Khaliquzzaman, was the president of the PPP Sindh when Ms Bhutto had returned to Pakistan on April 10, 1986 ending her exile. His differences with her became so deep and profound that he had to quit the senior provincial party position. He remained with the PPP for some time, but finally left it. He was so disgusted with politics that he gave it up long time ago. Nothing is heard about him since long. Being an ambitious politician, the junior Makhdoom wanted to be the chief minister of Sindh, a dream that Ms Bhutto never let come true. On the same lines, MAF also wished many times to be the Sindh chief minister, but it was never allowed to be materialised. The maximum he got more than once was the federal ministry during the tenure of the Benazir Bhutto governments. However, his official track record has been spotless, as he never had a corruption reference against him.

"Now it has become absolutely impossible for MAF to have any respectable stay in the PPP because his relations with Zardari have reached a point of no return," said a PPP leader.

"It is a matter of timing for MAF to carve out his own faction in the PPP or just leave it as well as politics, following his younger brother.

There are little or no takers of MAF's line in the PPP although many of them abhor the treatment he has been given after his matchless association with the PPP. For the moment, it appears that the estranged Makhdoom does not want to go down in the history quietly.

PPP leaders feel pity for Makhdoom Sahib

 

[mujahideen]

Amin Fahim resigns from PS-44

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s party (PPP) Vice-Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim has sent his resignation from his seat PS-44 to party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday. According to Geo News, Amin Fahim will keep his seat NA-218. Makhdoom Amin Fahim further said it is nothing but a rumour that he is no more running for the premiership, adding he is still the candidate for the top position of the country. ‘I am not attempting any division in the party,’ he added.

Courtesy Geo

 

[mujahideen]

Fahim may go to SC against Zardari’s ‘interference’

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) President Makhdoom Amin Fahim might go to the Supreme Court to stop PPP Co-chairman Asif Zardari from “interfering in party affairs”, party sources told Daily Times on Sunday.

The PPP, of which Asif Zardari is the co-chairman, is not registered with the Election Commission. It was the PPPP, headed by Makhdoom Amin Fahim, that contested the elections and won the most number of seats.

Sources in the pro-Amin Fahim camp told Daily Times on Sunday that he would not compromise and would approach either the Supreme Court or the Election Commission of Pakistan against Zardari, who was neither an MNA nor an office-bearer of the PPPP.

Sources in the Zardari camp said Makhdoom was no more in the race for prime minister. They said Yousaf Raza Gilani was the frontrunner for the office of prime minister and Dr Fehmida Mirza for the speaker of the National Assembly.

“I don’t think Fahim is in the race for prime minister. I guess Yousaf Raza Gilani and Fehmida Mirza are frontrunners for prime minister and speaker,” said a senior office-bearer and close aide of Zardari.

The party had authorised the co-chairman to nominate the candidates for these offices, he said. “He will announce the names of speaker and deputy speaker today (Monday) but I am not sure when he will announce the premiership candidate.” Nabil Gabol is also a likely candidate for speaker, and Abdul Akbar Khan from the NWFP is being tipped as the candidate for the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, according to sources.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

Amin Faheem says won’t quit People’s Party

ISLAMABAD: People’s Party leader Makhdoom Amin Faheem Monday said he didn’t commit any betrayal and won’t quit the party.

Talking to newsmen after his arrival to attend the opening session of the newly elected National Assembly Amin Faheem said he didn’t commit any disloyal act against the party.

Makhdoom said Asif Ali Zardari should preside over the parliamentary meeting of the party today.

Responding to a question about banners against him outside the parliament lodges, Amin Faheem said he would ask about it from Asif Zardari adding that action should be taken against the people responsible for it.

Amin Faheem replying a query about nomination of prime minister, said he watches Geo News programme “Hum Sub Umeed Se Hain.”

Amin Faheem says won’t quit People’s Party

 

[mujahideen]

Zardari-Fahim impasse continues

NAVEED BUTT

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPP-P) President Makhdoom Amin Fahim is sticking to his guns and has said that he was still a strong contender for the slot of the premiership.
Sources in the party disclosed that the meeting between Makhdoom Amin Fahim and party Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari failed to break the impasse on the issue of premiership. It would appear that both the sides have refused to concede any ground.
These sources further disclosed to The Nation that Makhdoom Amin Fahim told the party Co-Chairman that he would only withdraw his candidature for the top slot in case Zardari himself would be the candidate. For anyone else he would refuse to step back.
The sources said, “Makhdoom Amin Fahim powerfully protested against the banners that were displayed in front of Parliament Lodges on the opening session of the National Assembly on Monday. Zardari professed ignorance about the same and said that as soon as he came to know about it he had directed for the removal of the banners.”
The sources said that Zardari once again made lucrative offer to Makhdoom from Halla to get the important ministries or even the chairmanship of the Seante but Makhdoom politely refused to take any.
According to the sources, Makhdoom refused to take the words of Zardari that most of the MPs of the party were not ready to accept him as the premier and told him that it was just a propaganda campaign being launched against him by some miscreants in the party.
He further said that by and large, the party was in his favour and most of the MPs had assured him full support in case he was made the candidate for the PM.
Makhdoom made it clear to Zardari that he would not withdraw for the race within the party for premiership and would fight till the last.
After the deadlock in the meeting, party co-chairman had called a meeting of senior party leaders. The meeting was in session till the filing of this report.
APP adds: Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) President Makhdoom Amin Fahim Monday said that he would fully support if Asif Ali Zardari wanted to become Prime Minister.
Talking to mediamen here Monday after a meeting with PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari he said he (Zardari) had invited him for a dinner and the meeting was held in a pleasant atmosphere.
He said that besides other issues they also discussed the nomination of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
When asked he would support if someone else was nominated for the slot of Prime Ministership, Makhdoom Fahim said that he had suggested to Asif Ali Zardari to become Prime Minister.
Asif Zardari would think about it and if he wanted to become Prime Minister he would fully support him but added that he would not support any one else for the slot.
Monitoring Desk adds: Fahim said he did not commit any betrayal and won’t quit the party, reports a private TV channel.
Talking to newsmen after his arrival to attend the opening session of the newly-elected National Assembly in Islamabad, Amin Fahim said he did not commit any disloyal act against the party.
Replying a query about nomination of prime minister, he said he watches Geo News programme “Hum Sub Umeed Se Hain”.
Agencies add: Fahim dismissed the rumours of making any forward bloc in Sindh Assembly and said the party would remain united as there was no rift between the leadership.
He further clarified that neither he nor his like-minded persons were active to form a coalition government with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) or other party after creating forward bloc.
“I don’t indulge in ‘if or else’ assumptions and want to categorically say that PPP is united and we would keep it united,” he said in reply to a question regarding future of the party.
He said PPPP would unveil its premiership candidate within a couple of days.
Fahim aid that the matter of nomination of the PPP candidate for the slot of Prime Minister was ‘still undecided’ and this matter was not discussed during the PPP Parliamentary Party meeting. He said that the matter would soon be resolved and the party workers should not ‘worry’ over the delay in announcement of the candidature.
To a question about some banners displayed outside the Parliament House questioning his loyalty towards the party leadership, Fahim said the party had taken notice of the banners with derogatory remarks, adding that action should be taken against the people responsible for it.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

Fahim to be happy with Zardari’s decision on PM slot F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Dispelling any rift in the party, the prime ministerial hopeful Makhdoom Amin Fahim, PPP-Parliamentarians president, said on Monday he would happily accept the decision if the party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari nominated some one else for the post of premier. Talking to journalists here at the Parliament House, Makhdoom Amin Fahim said he was grateful to the party for their support before a decision was to be made on the prime ministerial candidate. He made this remark when his attention was drawn to warm desk-thumping by the party’s elected members of the assembly after his name was called out for his signing of the roll of members (register). He was responding to a volley of questions by media persons. As usual, the calm and composed gave brief answers to queries. When asked would the prime minister be from Punjab or Sindh, he said that he would be from Pakistan and indeed from Pakistan Peoples Party. “Pakistan Peoples Party is my own party for which we have rendered sacrifices of blood and sweat,” he recalled. Fahim said that the nation would know in two or three days that who would be the prime minister. To a query about his possible concerns, he said that the time of concerns had not come yet. To another question, Makhdoom Amin Fahim said that he had no row with the party’s co-chairman rather he said that he has a thick friendship with Mr Zardari. He further said that many efforts were being made to make split in the party but, he said that he wants the party to be united so that to help resolve the problems being faced to the people of the country. He also dispelled the impression that there were some people inside the party which were struggling to create rift in the party. He stopped short of commenting on the display of some banners against him outside the Parliament House. “The party has taken notice if it and these have been removed,” he said. To a question whether it is right that he is not liked to the slot of prime minister due to his alleged friendly relations with the establishment, Makhdoom Amin Fahim gave a short answer saying, “everybody knows, Mohtarma knows and Asif Ali Zardari knows”. Earlier, before the National Assembly’s session, he confined his interaction with media persons to only saying, “Long live Pakistan, long live Pakistan Peoples Party”. Whatever decision Asif Ali Zardari took in connection to the candidate for the post of prime minister, it would be acceptable to the party, remarked another prime minister hopeful Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar during his chat with media. “Asif Ali Zardari’s decision will be final and will be acceptable to the party, as Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had handed over the party leadership to him in her will”, he added. The PPP leader asserted that the presidential palace conspiracies will be failed though the force of parliament.

The Frontier Post