PML-Q blames links with Musharraf

Struggling to keep its flock together after the electoral drubbing, the PML-Q today said it would play a “positive and constructive” role...

Struggling to keep its flock together after the electoral drubbing, the PML-Q today said it would play a “positive and constructive” role in the opposition by offering issue-based support to the government.

The top leadership of the PML-Q met here to review its performance in the elections and to devise ways to prevent defections by its newly elected lawmakers to former premier Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N party.

The leadership of the PML-Q, whose tally dropped from 118 in 2002 to 29 in the February 18 polls, has blamed the party’s close association with Presidnet Pervez Musharraf for its poor performance in the polls.

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“We have decided by consensus that we will play a positive and constructive role as an issue-oriented, robust, vibrant and active opposition, except in the province of Balochistan, where the PML-Q will lead a coalition government,” PML-Q secretary general Mushahid Hussain Sayed said.

“We would like to support the future government on a national agenda above party lines and that national agenda should focus on issues such as combating extremism and terrorism,” Sayed told a news conference.

The PML-Q said itwanted “a common social agenda on education, health, welfare, justice.”