Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor has said that Pakistan People's Party Patriot would participate in the forthcoming local government elections and would start nomination of his office-bearers across the Punjab province after Muharram. The minister stated this while speaking at a news conference here on Thursday and announced names and designations of Rawalpindi district party office-bearers.

Nouraiz Shakoor, who is also president of the PPP Patriot, Punjab, confirmed that they would participate in the local bodies elections of 2005 and general elections in 2007 without merger with any other party. Talking about the President's uniform, he said it is in the best interest of the country.

He said his party would extend its cooperation to the government to implement the President's reforms and policies, adding that all political parties should take keen interest in combating poverty, unemployment and illiteracy rather than fighting for political interests. He opined that their party would welcome and encourage the dialogue culture among political parties.

To a question, he said his group would have no objection if government and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto would strike a deal.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005