Durrani claims split in MMA
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani Wednesday said that Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has divided on issue of resignation. Addressing a press conference in Parliament Cafeteria here, the Minister said resigning from the Parliament would be considered as dictatorship-like approach. Anyone, who has objections on Women Protection Bill, must take steps according to the constitution.
He said Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) is opposing the option of resigning from National Assembly focusing attention on coming elections but those who reached to floor of the Parliament first time in their political career were emphasizing on resignation. He said the government would follow the constitution regarding steps to be taken after resigning of any parliamentarian of MMA. “The government will not pressurize MMA and wants their presence in the Parliament”, he maintained. He said Hisba Bill passed by provincial assembly of NWFP was unconstitutional but the federal government despite implementing governor-rule in the province is taking legal actions and contacted the courts.
He said the Chief Minister of NWFP should avoid giving statements regarding promulgation of Hisba Bill in the province but must go through the constitution as nothing was above the law.
He said opposition parties, apart from MMA, have understood anti-government campaign would prove nothing that’s why they were preparing for next elections but MMA wanted to wrap the whole system since last four years and gave 21 calls to initiate the movement against the government.
He said the government was ready to hold talks with all political parties on any issue as it was the ground for contesting in coming general elections. He said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and other parties who endorsed support to the Bill would surely get support of 52% of total population of the country.
He said Pakistan Muslim League (N) inflicted harm to its vote-bank by entering into agreement with PPP-Charter of Democracy.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani has said the Federal government will ensure implementation on the Women Protection Bill in all the provinces. Addressing a press conference at the Parliament House Wednesday he said if any province tried to create hurdle in the implementation of the bill, action would be taken according to the Constitution. The Minister explaining the position of the Women Protection Bill said it is a federal legislation and it is biding on all the provinces to implement it. Replying to a question, he said no province is beyond the jurisdiction of constitution, therefore, its implementation could not stop in any province. About the threat of resignations by the members of the Muttahida Majlis Amal, Muhammad Ali Durrani said majority of the members of the MMA are not serious to resign from the parliament. He said some of the MMA leaders wanted to use the issue of resignations for their personal and political benefits in the next elections as they knew that they will be very weak candidates.