Islamabad, Dec 01: In a last minute bid, pro-Musharraf PML-Q today clinched support of MMA, an alliance of religious parties, to get its pro-us leader elected as chief minister of sensitive Baluchistan province, even as the party struggled to keep the fragile coalition government at the Centre from melting down following withdrawal of support by 17-member MQM. Jam Muhammad Yousuf of Pakistan Muslim League - Qaide Azam (PML-Q) bagged 47 votes in the 65-member Baluchistan Assembly in the election for the chief minister.
In what appears to be a far reaching political deal between PML-Q and Muttahida Majlis-e Amal (MMA) with the reported understanding of not to rock the minority government at the Centre of Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, MMA voted for Yousuf in a four cornered contest.
Though the chief minister's slot has been given to PML-Q, the pro-Taliban and anti-American MMA, which has already established its government in the neighbouring North West Frontier Province (NWFP), is expected to a wield a great deal of influence in both provinces, which bordered Afghanistan.
The provincial MMA leaders are expected to get influential ministries in Baluchistan government.
The deal between PML-Q and MMA was also important for Jamali because Baluchistan was his home province and he is also desperately trying to woo MMA to support his minority government at the Centre.
Jamali, after holding talks with top MMA leaders Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Qazi Hussain Ahmad yesterday in Peshsawar, said he has agreed to one of the alliance's demand that Friday should be declared as a holiday. The Friday holiday was abolished by previous Nawaz Sharif government. Bureau Report