ISLAMABAD, 28 August 2007 — Voices of dissent have emerged in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Q) against President Gen. Pervez Musharraf seeking re-election in uniform and his negotiations with the Chairperson of Pakistan People’s Party Benazir Bhutto, sources said.
Federal Minister Ishaq Khakwani, who tendered his resignation yesterday and is leading anti-Musharraf group in the party, said, “I cannot support Musharraf’s re-election as president in uniform.”
Senior Vice President of the PML-Q Sayed Kabir Ali Wasti and some other prominent leaders are also opposed to a military president, sources said.
Supporters of another senior party leader, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, have strong reservations over government’s efforts to strike a deal with Benazir. This faction has not yet voiced its disagreement in public but has sought support from Chaudhry Shujaat.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali said that Chaudhry Shujaat and Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Elahi are in favor of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s resignation for creating troubles for the government by sending an incorrect and untimely reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.
