December 24, 2002	Tuesday	Shawwal 19, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: Vice-president of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and chief of Jamaat-i-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali on Monday reportedly to request him to allow his party to host a civic reception in honour of Iranian President Mohammad Khatami during his visit to Lahore.

However, sources privy to the Prime Minister’s House, told Dawn that Jamali expressed his inability to oblige, saying that the itinerary of the visiting Iranian president had already been finalized and it could not be changed now.

The prime minister reportedly told the MMA leader that despite every effort, the MMA’s request could not be accommodated at this juncture. When asked what transpired during the talks, Qazi Hussain told Dawn that nothing special was discussed.

To a question about the MMA meeting to discuss talks with Jamali, the JI chief said there was no need for any such meeting as the MMA policy on extending support to the government was well known.

To a question about the JUI’s recent statement accusing the JI of going solo in talks with other parties on by-elections, Qazi Hussain said it was a wrong impression as all component parties of the MMA were taken into confidence before taking a decision. “It is a desire of some circles to create differences in our ranks but they will fail as we are united,” he quipped.