June 1, 2003	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 29, 1424

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HARIPUR, May 31: The Muttahida Majis-i-Amal central leader, Senator Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, said on Thursday evening that his alliance supports steering a middle course on the ongoing government-opposition deadlock on the contentious issues of LFO and holding two offices of president and COAS by the same person.

Speaking to newsmen at the residence of Maulana Qazi Abdul Jaleel, the district GS of the JUI, Maulana Sami said though we do favour a middle course for the sake of restoration of democracy and ensuring the supremacy of democratic institutions, but the government should clear our constitutional apprehensions in this regard. However, he did not specifically elaborate the middle course.

He said the country is experiencing the worst kind of political crisis of history and to steer it out of the present situation, the religious alliance is showing its willingness to accept him as the constitutional president.

The MMA is sincere in saving the democratic institutions from any harm and wanted to negotiate on the matter of president wearing two caps, but the government is still not adopting any clear course and vitiating the situation further, he added.

He said that once the opposition agreed on incorporation of the LFO in the 73 Constitution in its present shape, the remaining parts would be more vulnerable to undesired changes by the rulers thereafter. He urged the government to resolve the issues with mutual consultation and consent from both sides otherwise he warned the prevailing deadlock might land the country into more difficult situation.

Replying to a question Senator Sami-ul-Haq warned the government of dire consequences should it ever tried to dislodge the MMA’s government in NWFP or impeded its Shariat Act adding that they would not allow the present system to run any longer.

About the differences in the MMA’s ranks he dispelled the impression adding that every body might have different views on an issue but the decisions at the meetings were made collectively and with mutual consent.

On the Indo-Pakistan relations Maulana Sami welcomed the current overtures from both sides of the Line of Control.