Aziz ‘opts’ to sit on the fence

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday announced not to contest the coming elections, but would continue to be associated with the Pakistan Muslim League (PML). However, Aziz said he would return to active politics after “some time”. Aziz told a news conference that the PML had offered him to contest elections from eight NA constituencies but he had decided to stay away from the election process. He said that he had not applied for a PML ticket but did not give any reason for his surprise decision. Aziz denied he had plans to leave the country. He declared PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who was also present on the occasion, his benefactor. Hussain denied that there was strong opposition within the party on fielding Aziz for NA election, saying some irresponsible elements were spreading rumours in this respect. He claimed that the PML had offered Aziz to contest from NA 59 and 58 constituencies, while Salim Jan Mazari had offered him to run for the NA seat from his hometown of Kashmor but Aziz opted not to contest elections. He made this announcement at a joint news conference along with PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Senator Tariq Azeem Khan. irfan ghauri

Shaukat Aziz is shrewd enough to realize that he has not a single constituency of his own to run for election. May be he has been sidelined with grace to make room for adjustment for the PMship, if PML_Q is able to form Government in coalition with other parties in the NA.

__________________
Waheed Anwar Abro
Customs & Excise
37th CTP

I'm afraid this is the real place where he really belongs. He was not a politician and therefore doesn't have political support. This is not ture that he has opted to sit on the fence. The truth is matter of fact is that that he was forced to sit there. In fact, he was an ambassador from the western powers and will go there after doing what they wanted. But; we must keep him in the high esteem b/c he was our P.M at least not for doing much for us but let us learn that was destiny of people who want to make fortune by cheap means. He will be an "INSTANCE" in our history.