Azhar, allies likely to join ARD

Former Pakistan Muslim League, Quaid-e-Azam (PML-QA) president Mian Azhar and his like-minded PML dissidents are likely to join Alliance for Restoration of Democracy.

According to ARD sources, efforts are being made to bring the group into ARD fold. To pursue the matter, PPP Punjab President Qasim Zia on Thursday called on former PML-Q President Mian Azhar and conveyed to him former PM Benazir's special message‚.

It is pertinent that this is second PPP contact with the former Governor Punjab, who after having been deprived of pro-military PML faction presidentship seems all set to join hands with opposition parties against the military-led Jamali regime. Azhar also had been secretary general of PPP Sannat Nagar Ward Lahore in 1970s.

It is also worth mentioning that Begum Abida Hussain, former Federal Minister and another PML-QA dissident had met Benazir Bhutto in London and agreed to join hands with ARD against dictatorship. Later, Qasim Zia met Abida and discussed political situation with her and mode of further cooperation between the PPP and the like-minded leaders of PML.

It is learnt that there are three options for Azhar and his group. They may join PPP, form new PML faction or join ARD as independents.