Allies to be taken along, says Shujaat
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—President Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that all coalition Parties would be taken into confidence about all decisions in existing political scenario.
Talking to two-member delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) here on Saturday, he assured them that the Government will constantly remain in touch with allies about all key developments. The delegation comprised on Parliamentary Leader MQM Dr. Farooq Sattar and Member National Assembly (MNA) Shoaib Bukhari.
Chaudhry Shujaat briefed the MQM delegation about talks with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and other political parties in length. President General Pervez Musharraf, he added, has been apprised about the reservation of PML-Q and its allied parties on ongoing negotiation between Government and PPP.
President General Musharraf had assured him that the Government would not take any decision till all the coalition groups are taken into confidence, he maintained. During the meeting, they also discussed overall political situation of the country and reelection of the President from outgoing assemblies.
Following the meeting, Dr. Abdul Farooq Sattar told Private TV Channel that the MQM hold policies of Government at high esteem adding that every type of collaboration will be continued with Government. Answering to a question, he added, it is to early to say anything about whether the Government is striking deal with PPP. However, four member delegation of Party coordination committee led by Federal Minister Babar Ghauri left for London.
The delegation will hold talks with Quaid MQM Altaf Hussain on overall political situation of the country while the future strategy will be chalked out in the meeting of MQM Coordination committee, he pointed out. Farooq Sattar said that his party would not take any extra constitutional step.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani Saturday said dialogue with political parties for the cause of democracy in the country is a continued process. Talking to newsmen the Minister said essence of the democracy is that, issues are resolved on the negotiating table and the government is giving priority to settle political matters through dialogue.
He said it is hallmark of the present government that it introduced the culture of political dialogue to further promote democratic norms in the country, instead of pursuing the politics of confrontation.
Commenting on the talks with PPPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto the Minister said, the government has conveyed its point of view on different issues.
To a question about return of Sharif brothers the Federal Minister said they (Sharifs) went to Saudi Arabia under an agreement on their own free will, and now they are not abiding by the agreement.
Action against them (Sharifs) would be taken in accordance with the law, the Information Minister added.