November 11, 2002	Monday	Ramazan 5, 1423

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ISLAMABAD Nov 10: The Grand National Alliance (GNA) and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) have narrowed down major differences on contentious issues and came closer to an agreement on formation of government after late Saturday talks.

A joint statement issued by the alliances after the two-hour talks, said: “The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and Grand National Alliance have made progress in their talks by agreeing to continue the process of consultations for the formation of government at the Centre and breaking the lingering political deadlock after the Oct 10 elections in the country.”

The sources disclosed that both sides are likely to agree on a formula for transfer of power which will also be acceptable to the president Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Showing flexibility in its earlier stand that Gen Musharraf should seek fresh vote to legitimize his election as president for five years, the two sides decided to constitute a committee comprising Liaquat Baloch and Hafiz Hussain Ahmed from MMA and Chaudhry Amir Hussain and Arbab Ghulam Rahim from GNA, which will formulate its recommendations on contentious issues.

A meeting of the committee was held here on Sunday, prepared its recommendations on various aspects of the LFO and proposed certain recommendations agreed upon by both sides.

As result of talks leaders of both alliances showed understanding on contentious issues, one of the participants Hafiz Hussain Ahmed told Dawn.

HE SAID: “We have little or no differences on a number of our priorities with the GNA.”

Mohammad Ali Durrani, another participant of the last night meeting added:”Our efforts were aimed at creating greater national consensus on the issue of president’s status and in this consultation PPP will also be involved.”

He opined that both the sides will be able to compromise on 58(2)B and also accept NSC after consultations on some of its functions.

The joint statement issued by the MMA’s media cell, which replaced the earlier press briefing further stated: “The agreement was reached in detailed talks between the leaders of the two groups who met on Saturday night to discuss the formation of government, the political deadlock, their restoration of consultation and controversial Legal Frame Work Order (LEO).”

It further said both groups will cooperate with each other in accordance with democratic, cultural and principles to take forward the political and democratic process, if any of the group got a chance to form the government.

Both asked for calling an immediate session of the national assembly as delaying the session was causing unnecessary disappointment to the public.

The leaders of both groups realized that they will work in harmony to dispense their responsibilities in the supreme national interest as being public representatives they know how to deal with issues pertaining to formation of the government in accordance with the Constitution and rules and regulations of the National Assembly.

The leaders also discussed thoroughly the issues of the LFO, establishment of National Security Council, Article 58(2)B, presidential discretionary powers, reserved seats and joint electorate system.

The MMA formed a committee to further review these issues in detail and compile their suggestions which will be discussed in the next meeting to be held on Monday again after Taraveeh.

Meanwhile, Chaudhry Shujaat will hold talks with the government on the issue after studying the suggestions of the MMA committee.

During the Saturday talks issues like the policies on foreign affairs, media, economy, implementation of suggestions of Islamic Ideological Council and restoration of Friday as weekly holiday also came under discussion.

Those attended the meeting included Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Maulana Fazlur Rahman, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Liaquat Baloch, Syed Amir Hussain Gillani from MMA while Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari (NA), Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Sheikh Rashid, Chaudhry Amir Hussain PML-Q and Mohammad Ali Durrani of Millat party.