Pir Pagara is the chief of his own faction of the PML. — File photo

KARACHI: Leaders of various factions of the Muslim League on Thursday converged on the Kingri House, the residence of Pir Pagara in Karachi, from different parts of the country in a joint effort to unify the PML by merging their factions.

Pir Pagara, who is the chief of his own faction of the PML, on Thursday hosted a dinner, which was attended by former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, Mian Muhammad Azhar, Hamid Nasir Chattha, Salim Saifullah Khan, Humayun Akhtar, Ejaz-ul-Haq, Shaikh Rashid and Amanullah Khan. Those representing the PML-F were Makhdoom Ahmad Mehmood Shah, Pir Sadruddin Shah, Jehangir Tareen and Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh.

According to Kingri House sources, a formal meeting of the PML leaders is scheduled at 3pm on Friday. Besides the formulation of principles for the merger of the factions, the prevailing political situation, the poor state economy and threats confronting the federation would be reviewed.

After the meeting, a communiqué is likely to be issued extending an invitation to all old and new Muslim Leaguers, including the PML-N, to come under the flag of the PML for the solidarity, stability and security of the country, the sources added.

Talking to the media informally, almost all leaders said the unification of the PML was not against the government but in the larger interest of the country and strengthening of democracy.

Mir Zafarullah Jamali said PML unification was the need of the hour and only Pir Pagara could unite the parties on a single platform.

Khurshid Mehmood Qasuri said they had been in touch with Pir Pagara for the last three months and the unification move augured well for the country. He said he hoped that the party would contest the next general election from a joint platform.

Ejazul Haq said the PML unification under the leadership of Pir Pagara was in the interest of the country.

Mian Muhammad Azhar said efforts for unification should have materialised a long time ago. However, even if the party was now unified, it would be better for the security and solidarity of the country. Shaikh Rashid said if the PML-N chief refused to join in the efforts for the unification of the parties, Nawaz Sharif would be committing a blunder.