October 18, 2002	Friday	Sha'aban 11, 1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: President of six-party National Alliance Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Millat Party president Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari on Thursday called on president and vice-president of Muttahida Majlise Amal Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani and Maulana Samiul Haq and exchanged views with them on the mechanism of transition of power from military to the parliamentary government.

Liaqat Baloch, the head of the four-member MMA parliamentary committee, also met Maulana Noorani and apprised him of talks he had held with PML(Q) secretary-general Zafarullah Jamali.

Later talking to newsmen Maulana Noorani said that the religio-political alliance had appointed a four-member parliamentary committee which had started talks with other parliamentary groups on formation of the government.

He cleared that the committee was bound to hold talks within the mandate given to it by the MMA which was based on the alliance’s manifesto.

Mr Jatoi said that the purpose of the meetings with the political leadership and the parliamentary groups was to remove hurdles if any in the way of smooth sailing for the parliament could come across after its going into session.

He was however unable to respond to a question as to how could the NA or the GNA come together with those parties which demand withdrawal of LFO and restoration of un-amended constitution.

He said, the alliance headed by him had no objection on Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s candidature for the premiership.

Mr Leghari said the polls have given the nation a chance to come out of the critical situation and this objective could be achieved through cooperation and unity on contentious issues.

Maulana Samiul Haq was of the view that the victory of the MMA in the polls was blown out of proportion and the western media was taking lead. He called upon the international community not be afraid of Islamic system as it was religion of peace and tranquillity.