Musharraf not interested in politics
Saturday, November 01, 2008
ISLAMABAD: The Chaudhrys of Gujrat held a meeting with ex-president Pervez Musharraf at the Army House in Rawalpindi with a view to removing misunderstanding when voices were raised within the party to change its leadership and install the former general to lead the party.
According to sources, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain went to the Army House to discuss the political situation and intra-party manoeuvring with the former head of the state.
However, sources said during the meeting General (retd) Musharraf told the Chaudhrys in clear words that he was not interested in politics at this time. The PML should keep unity in its ranks to face the challenges rather than indulging in confrontation with each other, the sources quoted Musharraf as having said.
The ex-president, who is called the godfather of Q-League during his eight-year long rule, also offered to play his role in uniting the Q-League. Some close aides of Musharraf that held key ministries in the previous government of the Q-League are now challenging the leadership of the Chaudhrys of Gujrat by giving an impression that they have the full backing of Pervez Musharraf.
The sources said Musharraf also expressed his dismay over the bad economic situation of the country.Political observers termed the meeting significant at a time when the party was divided in four groups one headed by the Chaudhrys, the other wants to install Pervez Musharraf as head of the Q-League, the third belonging to those who want to support the PPP and the last pressing for merger with the PML-N.
The sources said there was a clear perception in the minds of the Chaudhrys of Gujrat that one group of the party, led by Sumaira Malik, wanted to bring General (retd) Pervez Musharraf to head the Q-League by replacing them.
The sources said the Chaudhrys and their sympathisers are of the firm belief that Musharraf is behind the move to replace the Q-League leadership.The sources said in the meeting, the former president clarified that he did not intend to step into politics as he wanted to devote time to his family.
Though the former president expressed concern over the prevailing circumstances, but he was not disappointed over the future of the country.
The sources said Pervez Musharraf told the PML leaders that he was busy reading books and playing tennis and bridge.
However, when asked about the meeting, PML-Q Information Secretary Senator Tariq Azeem termed it only a social gathering. It was more social than political, he added.He said during the meeting, Musharraf inquired about the health of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who recently returned home from a routine medical check-up abroad.