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‘Musharraf to participate in politics after November’

* Chaudhry Shahbaz claims former president to unite various PML-Q factions

By Irfan Ghauri

ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister and central leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shahbaz said on Sunday that former president Pervez Musharraf would actively participate in politics after November 30 when a two-year constitutional bar on him holding public office comes to an end.

Addressing reporters in Islamabad, Shahbaz said he held several meetings with the former president in London and also met him recently in Jeddah. Shahbaz said Musharraf was given official protocol in Saudi Arabia, where he was invited by the Saudi King.

“Musharraf would unite various factions of the PML-Q and participate in politics from that platform,” said Shahbaz – who served as minister for population welfare in the Musharraf regime – when asked if Musharraf would launch a new party.

He said the two-year constitutional restriction, which prevents Musharraf from participating in politics, would end on November 30, after which “he would announce his future strategy.

Shahbaz termed Musharraf a “visionary leader whose services are required by the nation. “After Benazir Bhutto, we have no leader ... who can deliver lectures in 17 countries. Musharraf is recognised all over the world,” he said.

Replying to a question, he said he was part of the Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain-led faction of the PML-Q.

Asked about differences between Musharraf and the Chaudhry brothers, he said, “Sometimes, even brothers can develop differences. But these differences can be settled”.

Asked if any mutual friends were trying to resolve differences between the two sides, he said an effort could be launched. “It would not be an uphill task,” he said. He said a trial for the former president could open a Pandora’s box.

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