RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League Functional (PML-F) chief, Pir Pagara Syed Sibghatullah and PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervaiz Elahi have agreed to jointly contest the upcoming general elections under one symbol.

This historic announcement was made by Grand Democratic Alliance President Pir Sahib Pagara Syed Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi after meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML) President Ch Shujaat Hussain and senior central leader Ch Parvez Elahi here while addressing a joint press conference along with other leaders here on Wednesday.

Ch Pervaiz Elahi said, "We have invited all patriotic parties and personalities to join this alliance, no party has ended terrorism rather this is the result of great sacrifices of the Pak Army, respect of judiciary is essential, today is a historical day, now the alliance will be seen in four provinces.

Earlier, when Pir Sahib Pagara Syed Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi along with Muhammad Ali Durrani, Tariq Hassan and other leaders reached at the residence of Chaudhry Sahibaan, they were very enthusiastically welcomed. On this occasion, Ch Wajahat Hussain, Tariq Bashir Cheema, Kamil Ali Agha, Moonis Elahi, Hafiz Ammar Yasir, Mian Munir, Dr Azeemuddin Lakhvi and other leaders were also present.

Talking to the media, Pir Sahib Pagara said that I have come here to meet Ch Shujaat Hussain and Ch Parvez Elahi,; we all have to be united on one platform.

He said in 2013, the caretaker government had spoiled election; we were the first to lodge protest, if such people come again then 2018 election will also not be fair and transparent.

"Then it was their decision that in Punjab Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif should be restricted to the limits of Punjab and Zardari to Sindh. In Sindh, our 17 seats were given to the Peoples Party; now country cannot afford such circumstances.

Pir Sahib said, "I have no desire for leadership, for uniting all parties will ask Chaudhry Sahib to start work, for the betterment of the country, take all along, no party has eliminated terrorism, this is the work of the army, army is guarantee of national security and solidarity, politicians support criminals. He said, "I have brought Sindh alliance with me, Ch Sahibaan should establish contact all parties".

Ch Shujaat Hussain said relations with Pir Sahib families are very old, I have mentioned elder Pir Sahib in my book also. During arrest of Ch Zahoor Elahi we used to take guidance from him daily, instances of his courage have also been mentioned.

Ch Parvez Elahi said that for security, solidarity, stability and strengthening of national institutions all political parties are being brought together. The Party, hatching conspiracies against armed forces of Pakistan and judiciary, is in power for last 25 years. The army has offered great sacrifices, judiciary must be respected, he maintained.

He said Grand Democratic Alliance has been created at the federal level. Next election will be contested on one platform and one symbol, this alliance will be symbol of national unity, solidarity and security, people should also vote for them.

In reply to a question, he said there is no contact with N-League, work is being done for bringing together those having Muslim Leaguers and Pakistani mind on one platform, we will invite all parties including PTI to come along.