PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has geared up his efforts aimed at formation of a grand alliance in the country. Shujaat is contacting different political parties and organisations in this regard and some headway is expected after Eid.
Shujaat is striving for a greater alliance of all opposition parties and leaders which may contest election together, the sources said. On Monday, a delegation of Pakistan United Christian Movement, led by its Chairman Albert David, called on Chaudhry Shujat Hussain at his residence and discussed participation in the greater opposition alliance. Movement's executive committee and all district office-bearers would hold a meeting in Islamabad to take formal decision in this regard.
Welcoming the delegation, Shujat Hussain said that his party will continue safeguarding the religious, social and economic rights of all minorities. "We have always supported the minorities. That was the reason that our party in particular the government of Parvez Elahi in Punjab had returned 45 nationalised educational institutions including FC College of the Christian missions, gave proprietary rights to the residents of minorities in katchi abadis, besides establishing the first time fully-empowered Ministry for Minority Affairs in Punjab," he said. Shujat further said besides giving the right of double vote to the minorities in the elections, his party also fixed quota for them in the government jobs. Chairman Albert David said that seats for non-Muslims in the National and provincial assemblies be increased, five percent women reserved seats should be fixed for the minorities and Federal Ministry for Minority Affairs be restored.