PML-Q may maintain own identity in Senate polls

The Pakistan Muslim League-Q whose 17 Senators will be retiring on March 11 has decided to fully participate in the Senate elections scheduled to be held on March 4 with focus to grab maximum number of seats.
The PML-Q is in touch with all the political parties, including the PPP and PML-N vis-à-vis Senate elections and final decision about a possible understanding with either of the political force will be taken by the party President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein, sources in the PML-Q told Business Recorder.
However, the sources claimed that pressure is mounting within the party for maintaining its own identity, instead of opting for any understanding or alliance with any other political force including the PPP and PML-N. The sources also claimed that efforts are also underway to persuade the leadership of both the PPP and PML-N to extend co-operation in the Senate elections. If both factions of the PML jointly contest the polls, both may be able to grab around 17 seats out of total 50 seats, the sources said, adding that understanding among the political forces will play a decisive role in the Senate polls. However, there exists wide differences and there are chances that the PML-Q will maintain its own identity in the Senate polls, the sources added.
Moreover, a consultative meeting of the PML-Q was held under the chairmanship of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, here on Friday to discuss situation arising out after announcement of the Schedule of Senate elections.
Addressing the meeting, Elahi said that the PML-Q would fully participate in the Senate polls. The PML-Q is in touch with other parties but decision about any understanding with any political force will be taken by the party President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein, he added. He further said that an election contact campaign will be started for Senate polls and in this regard a committee headed by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein will finalise necessary details.
The PML-Q Punjab President further said that his party believes in taking decisions with consultation, therefore, a process of consultation will be started within the party. He also said that the campaign of PML-Q's candidates in Senate polls would be run in an organised manner. Among others, Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, Moonis Elahi, Aamir Sultan Cheema, Amna Ulfat, Samina Yawar Hayat, Dr Samia Amjad, Chaudhry Ijaz Shafi, Shahaana Farooqi and Majida Zaidi attended the meeting.