November 15, 2002	Friday	Ramazan 9, 1423

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KARACHI, Nov 14: The supreme council of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal ended its meeting early Thursday without any final declaration, but reiterated its stand on the Legal Framework Order, National Security Council, Article 58(2)(b), election of the president and supremacy of parliament.

These principles, the MMA leadership maintained, remained unchanged and said it had not yet finalized any deal with any of the major players.

The emergency meeting held at the residence of MMA chief Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani ended before sehr.

The supreme council is said to have examined the formulations proposed by the government with regard to the contentious issues. It remained firm on the candidature of Maulana Fazlur Rahman for the top slot.

Sources said the leaders were briefed by Maulana Noorani about his telephonic conversation with President Gen Pervez Musharraf before the supreme council went into session.

The meeting nominated Maulana Noorani as its candidate for one of the Senate seats.

Talking to newsmen after the meeting, Maulana Noorani said that during negotiations with the PML-Q there had been no agreement on any clause of the LFO and now the matter would be decided in the National Assembly.

He said the meeting had decided the future course of action, emphasizing that the dialogue process with other parties had not broken down.

Maulana Noorani stressed that the 1973 Constitution was symbolic of national consensus and if its shape was mutilated through one-man’s intervention, it would not be acceptable as it would be dangerous for the country.

On the question of accepting Gen Musharraf as president, the maulana said the MMA had informed the general that if he wanted to hold that office, he would have to give up uniform and the office of the COAS.

“We don’t accept the presidential referendum, and Gen Musharraf will be advised to follow the constitutional way,” he said.

Maulana Noorani, who is president of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, said that as long as Gen Musharraf held the offices of president and the COAS, it would represent a grave contradiction. He dispelled the apprehensions about another martial law and said the country cannot bear it any more.

Asked about the MMA’s contact with the MQM, he said the committee set up for the purpose was continuing its work and added that the MMA had shown “considerable flexibility”.

QAZI HUSSAIN AHMED: The MMA’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, said that so far the alliance had not entered into any agreement with the PML-Q or the GNA.

He declared that the MMA did not recognize unilateral amendments made in the Constitution by the regime.

If the government would show flexibility on the NSC, Article 58(2)(b), the LFO and the presidential election, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal would not shy away from the agreement, he added.

He said the MMA could be flexible if the regime reciprocated the same and accepted its point of view.

He said now that the NA had been convened, elected representatives would give their verdict. He pointed out that the MMA’s tactics were helpful in breaking the deadlock.

MAULANA FAZLUR REHMAN: MMA’s prime ministerial candidate Maulana Fazlur Rahman said that his side had impressed upon the regime that the country’s next president would be a civilian.

He said the Article 58(2)(b) would be hanging like a sword over the assembly and the government. He said the supremacy of parliament, the LFO, and restoration of the 1973 Constitution were the issues of greater importance than the office of prime minister.

He stressed the need for a moderate and pragmatic foreign policy reflective of the aspirations of people.

Another MMA leader, Maulana Samiul Haq alleged that the regime was exerting pressure tactics to compel the FATA members to change their loyalty.