Islamabad: In a set back to Pakistan leadership's efforts to forge an effective pro- government alliance to take part in the October polls, the pro-Musharraf faction of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) has split following internal elections in the party.

Ejaj-ul-Haq, the son of former military ruler Zia-ul-Haq, broke away from the PML- Qauide-Azam after he suffered a humiliating defeat in the party polls held on August 3.

Haq secured a paltry 17 votes in the party's general council against his rival Mian Muhammed Azhar's 492. Haq alleged irregularities in the internal poll process.

Both Azhar and Haq joined together last year to split deposed premier Nawaz Sharif- led PML and form a pro-Musharraf faction in the party.

Following Musharraf government's new rule making it mandatory for the parties to hold internal party elections, Haq threw in his hat and pressed for elections.

Haq now plans to form a new party or a faction of PML of his own to contest the polls.

Azhar's faction, however, retains some of the key figures like former Prime Minister Gohar Ayub Khan and Sartaz Aziz.

The split was seen as set back for the government's efforts to mobilises a strong alliance to face the two established leaders, former Prime Ministers, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.

PTI