Shujaat hits back at MQM in same coin
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain President Pakistan Muslim League has emphasized that Pakistan Muslim League will consider MQM as an ally as not opponent however, he said that their attitude and action demonstrate that MQM consider PML as an opponent.
He made these remarks here Wednesday while commenting on the statement of MQM leader Altaf Hussain in which he queried whether MQM is an ally party of PML or an opponent. President Pakistan Muslim League in a statement said that a decision was taken in the presence of Prime minister that if any news received about an ally party it must be verified and without verification no comments should be made. However, he said it is deplorable that MQM without verification announced its protest. He said it is strange that government ministers were leading the protest of MQM against another allied government party, Pakistan Muslim League.
He further said that certain protesting MQM ministers used indecent language. It is perhaps the first time in the parliamentary history of Pakistan that an allied party in the government protested against the other allied party, he said and added “we are ignoring their actions in the greatest national interest,” Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain recalled that first meeting with Ulema took place at our request in which we specially invited MQM and their meeting lasted till 2:00 am after midnight.
He said since this meeting against which MQM was protested was held at the request of Ulema. They came for a meeting at their own request, he said and added how could we invite others without listening to the Ulema. He further said it is obvious after listening the Ulema we could have informed our allies because to reach a conclusion, we want consultation as before, President Pakistan Muslim League deplored the MQM protested in haste.
They should have verified from us before taking this step. But he regretted that now stage has reached to the point where the MQM leader threatened not to allow landing our aircraft at Karachi.
Concluding Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said he requested Ulema to see other parties if they wish so, like they did come to us, so that further reforms relating to rights of women could be implemented after due consultation.
President Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Wednesday said the new legislation for the rights and privileges of women would usher in a revolution in the country and contacts were being made for further consultation.
Speaking to a delegation of PML workers Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said the Muslim League government has taken numerous steps for the welfare and protection of women and a new bill has been tabled in the parliament, to effectively address old and redundant customs like swap marriages, vanni, marriage with the Holy Quran, inheritance rights, divorce, and other issues.
The PML leader said the process of consultation is underway with the religious political, parliamentary and social circles. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said that apart from the opposition, allied parties would also be contacted and their opinion and suggestions would be accommodated in the proposed bill, so as to make it more comprehensive.
He said Pakistan Muslim League has vowed to work towards creation of a society, in the light of Pakistan ideology, where every citizen gets a level playing field and social injustice and discrimination is rooted out from the society.
He said the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah also placed women in high esteem and regarded that progress of women and that of the nation was interwoven.
The delegation congratulated the PML leader on the Women Protection Act and extended their all out support to President Pervez Musharraf for his reform agenda.