PPPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and the party President Makhdoom Amin Fahim failed on Wednesday to make any headway over the issue of the party’s nominee for the slot of the prime minister.
According to sources, Zardari frankly told Fahim that he had not yet decided to nominate him as the prime minister. Both the top leaders, who came face-to-face at a dinner meeting at Zardari House, would again meet on Thursday to hold, what according to many would be, "make-or-break" negotiations. Zardari’s sister Farryal Talpur also attended the Wednesday’s dinner.
"I can confirm only one thing that there was no breakthrough in my meeting with Asif Zardari on the issue of the prime minister, and we are meeting again on Thursday to further discuss the same issue," Fahim told The News after his meeting with the PPPP co-chairman.
"Mr Zardari has not taken any decision on who would be the prime minister of Pakistan," Fahim said, adding, "I am still a candidate for the slot of the prime minister." Sources said the main reason for the failure of talks was the frank refusal of Amin Fahim to give up his candidacy.
Zardari, however, was reluctant to give Fahim his word on the nomination of the prime minister. Zardari told Fahim that he was in the process of consultations with the party leaders and others and was yet to take a final decision.
Fahim, however, said Zardari did not make any commitment with him as he had not made up his mind after completing consultations with the party leaders and the newly-elected MPs. "There are some problems but we hope to sort them out on Thursday," said Fahim.
During the meeting, Fahim is said to have expressed his serious anger at the soft approach of the PPP leadership towards the attack on his person by PML-N MNA Khawaja Asif with reference to his contacts with President Pervez Musharraf.
According to Fahim, all secret meetings between him and President Musharraf took place on the instructions of Benazir Bhutto and Asif Zardari but now an impression was being created as he was holding these meetings on his own.
Sources close to Fahim said that Zardari had assured Fahim that he would personally talk to Khawaja Asif. Sources said during the meeting, Fahim also complained against some party leaders who, according to him, were working against him.
Zardari assured Fahim that nobody in the party could give any statement against him and he would strictly ask the party leaders not to speak on any issue that might spark a controversy within the party.
Sources close to Makhdoom Amin Fahim claimed that Fahim had again emerged as a strong candidate for the slot of prime minister. Sources said the final decision in this regard would be announced on Sunday, a day before the inaugural session of the National Assembly.
Talking to Geo News after the meeting, Makhdoom Amin Fahim termed his meeting with Zardari as a routine affair. He said they met and had a dinner in a good atmosphere. "There is no difference between me and Asif Ali Zardari and we will meet again today (Thursday)."
When asked whether he was still having second thoughts about becoming the prime minister, he said he was still a strong candidate for the post of the prime minister. "The party is in consultative process and would announce its candidate in the next four days," he added.
When asked about reports on Zardari becoming a candidate for the PM, Fahim said, "If he has shown any desire, then being the president of PPP Parliamentarians, I would myself nominate him for the post without delaying a minute". When asked whether there was an offer for him to become the Senate chairman, he said no such offer was made to him during the meeting.