Govt hopeful MMA won’t quit parliament

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has indicated that MMA will not tender resignations from parliament adding the statement made by Maulana Fazlur Rehman gives indication that religious grouping can review its decisions on resignations.
Sources told Online Wednesday that the Prime Minister expressed these views while addressing cabinet meeting held here in the prime minister secretariat. A federal minister on the condition of anonymity told Online that the meeting deliberated over future strategy of the government in the perspective of MMA’s announcement for resignations. However, the Prime Minister hinted he had got clear indications that MMA would not quit parliament. The statement of Maulana Fazlur Rehman published recently indicates that MMA can review its decision about resignations.
Prime Minister however made it clear that all steps would be taken to ensure implementation of Women Protection Bill after it is signed by President General Pervez Musharraf. It is now responsibility of all the provinces not only to enforce the WPB approved by the parliament but also ensure its implementation.
Foreign minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri took the cabinet into confidence on matters related to resumption of Pakistan, India composite dialogue process, foreign secretaries level talks and his meeting with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee. The foreign minister told “ we are making positive headway on several matters. India earlier was not even ready to hold talks on Kashmir and we have now forced it to go for dialogue on this issue and now it is part of composite dialogue process.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz expressed satisfaction over talks between foreign ministers of both the countries and foreign secretary level talks reiterating resolution of Kashmir issue will ensure lasting peace and stability in the region. Pakistan wants peace with India, he said adding purposeful and result oriented talks are inevitable for settlement of Kashmir problem.
Sources indicated differences emerged among cabinet members on the question of dispatching troops to Zimbabwe. Minister for parliamentary affairs Dr Sher Afgan and labour minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan pleaded Pakistan’s relations with EU are not good, therefore, the decision on sending troops be reviewed.
Defence secretary said talks are underway since 1993 in this connection and it will not create good impression if troops are not sent. The ministers said that assurance be obtained from EU that it will not slap restrictions and the troops will be withdrawn if EU does so.
Jamiat Ulema Islam (Fazlur Rehman) Central Secretary Information Maulana Amjad Khan revealed Wednesday that in protest against Women Protection Bill, MMA’s women members would not give resignation from National Assembly.
In a statement issued here, Maulana Amjad Khan said that this decision was taken in the MMA’s Supreme Council with consensus. He said that MMA is still resolute on its stand to resign from National Assembly, adding, “However, People’s Party, Muslim League (N) and other parties suggested not to resign.”—Online