Shujaat, Fazal to negotiate Lal Masjid cleric release
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain met former Khateeb of Lal Masjid Maulana Abdul Aziz and several proposals with reference to release of Maulana Abdul Aziz came under discussion during the meeting. Sources told the meeting lasted one hour at some secret location. Chaudhry Shujaat inquired about the health of Maulana Abdul Aziz and exchanged views with the latter on several proposals about his release.
Meanwhile Chaudhry Shujaat confirmed the reports about his meeting with Maulana Abdul Aziz saying PML-Q would take along all the segments of society and all the issues would be resolved in the spirit of reconciliation and accommodation. He told the meeting took place in a conducive atmosphere and talks remained positive and productive. ‘I have told him the talks be started afresh”, he added. PML-Q president informed Maulana Abdul Aziz had expressed full confidence on him. This meeting has nothing to do with February, 18 elections, he added. Talks with Maulana Abdul Aziz also focused on the proposals related to his release, he said adding a package would be evolved for the release of Maulana Abdul Aziz and its implementation would be ensured.
The spokesman of Lal Masjid, Maulana Amir Siddiqui has announced that talks with government were underway for the release of Maulana Abdul Aziz. Addressing a press conference, at Lal Masjid he said that he has received some very positive signals regarding the issue, and said that Maulana was still firm on his demands regarding implementation of shariah.
Maulana Abdul Aziz has appointed Maulana Fazl-Ur-Rehman as arbitrator for carrying out the dialogue with government regarding his (Maulana Abdul Aziz) release. The spokesman said that Maulana Abdul Aziz has appealed to all the Ulema to unite under one banner for the implementation of shariah, and said that Maulana Sher Ali was taking other Ulema in confidence regarding the release process. Chief of his own faction of Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman has said that his party is striving to make Pakistan an Islamic , democratic and welfare state wherein the human rights of all the citizens are protected and their basic needs are fulfilled. The JUI-F through the process of parliamentary democracy wants to achieve these objectives, Maulana told a private television channel. “Our job is to remain in struggle for the achievement of these objectives and there is no bar of time-frame in this connection”, the JUI-F Chief said.
He said that politics cannot be separated from religion in an Islamic state and those who think otherwise are wrong. To a question he said the JUI-F morally supports the cause of Taliban as far their struggle against the foreign occupational forces is concerned. He said the US policies have put the peace of entire world at stake adding the US is pursuing the agenda of its interest on the pretext of bringing peace in other countries.