PPP in talks with JUI-F, MQM for unity Govt
Bureau Report

KARACHI—The first round of talks between leaderships of Pakistan People’s Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement to discuss matters relating to formation of new government was held here on Thursday. They agreed to hold another round of talks in a day or two. Leaders of both the parties met here at MQM Headquarters also known as Nine Zero, as agreed by the Co-Chairman PPP, Asif Ali Zardari and MQM Chief, Altaf Hussain on the phone earlier.
Prof. N.D. Khan, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Misbah-ur-Rehman and Zulfiqar Qaimkhani represented PPP while Syed Sardar Ahmed, Syed Shoaib Ahmed Bukhari, Wasim Akhtar, Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi, Syed Faisal Sabzvari and Nisar Panwhar participated from MQM side. Talking to media after one-hour meeting, Prof. ND Khan said difficult is only the first step which both the parties have already taken up and now the destination is not that far, adding Asif Ali Zardari is making efforts on national level to gather the nation.
‘We are attempting to make a consensus government,’ he added. Talking to the media, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Hyder Abbas Rizwi said they have discussed issues in the larger interest of Pakistan and the province, adding, ‘We have asked PPP to play their role in compensating the affectees of December 27.’ Another member of MQM negotiations team Syed Faisal Ali Sabswari said his party would present an exemplary role even if it will have to sit on the opposition benches in the interest of country and the province.
‘We are making headway with a very positive approach, if we sit on the opposition benches, we would be above 50 in number and will offer very positive role there,’ he added.
JUI-F president Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called for formation of national government saying his party is ready to become part of new government if it is taken into confidence. He said this while addressing a press conference here Thursday after JUI-F central executive committee meeting. He warned country’s political scenario has been changed and religious and secular parties will be competitors against each other in the future politics.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman told he had constituted a 7-member committee to consider the matter of JUI-F participation in future government. The committee comprises Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, Akram Khan Durrani, Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan, Dr Khalid Soomro, Qari Hamid Ullah Jan and Malik Sikandar Khan advocate, he added.
“We have worked out 8 demands to be presented before the next government”, he pointed out. They include enactment of Islamic laws, disallowing access to international agencies to Dr A Q Khan and nuclear assets, construction of Jamia Hafsa, suspension of military operation in FATA and Balochistan, maximum autonomy to the provinces and independence of judiciary and media”, he indicated. JUI-F will also support to undo article 58/2/B, he told.