Dissidence grows in PML

ISLAMABAD, OCT 29: A powerful section of the Pakistan Muslim League in Parliament is considering a change in the leadership of Nawaz Shar...

ISLAMABAD, OCT 29: A powerful section of the Pakistan Muslim League in Parliament is considering a change in the leadership of Nawaz Sharif as a means to restore democracy for which the country8217;s military ruler general Pervez Musharraf ruled out a time frame today.

Ever since the military took the helm on October 12, a number of PML Members in the National Assembly MNAs, including Ejaz-ul-Haq and Mian Azhar, have been demanding an in-house change in the leadership, which they see as a way to reach a compromise on the restoration of a civilian rule.

Also, the group has blamed the present crisis in Pakistan on Sharif, whom it accuses of 8220;confronting the army8221;. 8220;Had he Sharif behaved sensibly, the nation would not have plunged into the present crisis,8221; they say. On Wednesday, a dozen of MNAs of the PML weighed various options, including the removal of Nawaz Sharif along with his 8220;cronies8221; from the party office.

The members met at the home of MNAs Syed Abida Hussain and her husband Fakhar-e-Imam.8220;A lack of checks and balances led to the dismissal of Nawaz Sharif and to the change-over in the country,8221; they said in a statement.

On the other hand, several federal ministers in the deposed government met separately in a show of their support to Sharif.

Moderate MNAs of the League say there was still time for the party to convene a general body meeting to decide its future strategy.

Meanwhile, Gen Musharraf today said he could give visiting Commonwealth foreign ministers no assurance when democracy would return.

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8220;My response was I can8217;t give any timetable for a certain reason and not for any malevolent intent. The reason was I have set myself certain objectives and I am targeting those objectives,8221; he said.

Gen Musharraf said his priorities were stabilising the economy, strengthening the Pakistani federation and introducing 8220;certain electoral reforms8221;.