‘PML-Q leaders’ defeat in 2008 poll was engineered’, Ch. Shujaat Hussain

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has claimed that the defeat of 10 PML-Q ministers in the 2008 general elections was ‘pre-planned’, Dunya News reported on Monday.

In an appearance on the programme ‘Situation Room with Ayla Malik’, Shujaat alleged that former president Pervez Musharraf had prepared a list of 10 ministers who were to be defeated, to “show the world that the elections were conducted in a free and transparent manner”. He said that his name was added to the list at the ‘very last minute’. Shujaat said he conveyed to Musharraf after the elections that his party’s defeat was engineered.

However, he said that what happened in the past must be forgotten, and all political parties must unite to move forward, as the country was passing through a very difficult time.

Shujaat also denied that Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer transferred and posted officials during governor’s rule in Punjab “in line with my demand”. He claimed that the future belonged to the PML-Q, as the Pakistan People’s Party and the PML-Nawaz had disappointed the masses.

In the same programme, former foreign minister Khursheed Kasuri said that the list Shujaat had referred to was prepared by PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi instead of Musharraf. He said preparation of the list was part of Elahi’s plan to become prime minister.