ISLAMABAD: Putting a lid on bitter factionalism and internal wrangling, leaders of different components of the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) have agreed to extend the terms of the office bearers of IJI, led by Punjab chief minister Nawaz Sharif, for another two years.
A meeting of IJI leaders held in Lahore unanimously decided to fix the tenure of the office bearers for three years instead of one year. Elections were scheduled to be held on Sunday at the end of the stipulated one year term.
Nawaz Sharif, who has been held responsible for the defeat of the IJI nominee in the recent prestigious national assembly by elections in South Lahore, has been constantly under attack by former prime minister and president of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Mohammad Khan Junejo over his functioning as Punjab PML chief.
There was a crisis of sorts when Junejo last month sacked Lt Gen (Retd) Fazle Haq as the PML president of the North West frontier province, an action that was contested by Sharif. The situation was further complicated when the PIR of Pagaro, an obdurate opponent of Sharif, indicated that he was ready to emerge from political hibernation and lead the party if it was so desired.
Observers here feel that with his two year reprieve, Sharif will now step up efforts to bring “like minded,” political parties into the IJI fold before making another attempt to dislodge Benazir Bhutto as prime minister.
NEW DELHI: The Chinese foreign minister, Qian Qichen calledon prime minister, VP Singh here Friday night.
The prime minister and the Chinese foreign minister discussed bilateral, regional and international issues during their hour long meeting.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 30, 1990
