ISLAMABAD July 2: The chances of talks’ resumption between the government and the combined opposition were distant, informed official and opposition sources said on Wednesday.

Political pundits hoped, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali might convene the promised meeting of the government-opposition party heads before the opposition’s All Parties Conference (APC) scheduled for July 6, but that could not happen due to intervention by some hawks.

“Anything positive about the resumption of talks could be expected after the opposition’s All Parties Conference, and no-trust motion against the deputy speaker on July 7,” an official source observed.

But credible sources claim that the combined opposition is preparing to table a no-trust motion against Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro, immediately after the no-trust move against Deputy Speaker Sardar Yaqub is disposed of.

“Sufficient reasons for proving that the Senate chairman has been partial in dealing with the opposition in Senate, will be made basis for a no-trust aga-inst him,” an opposition leader said.

Another reason for the continued standoff is attributed to the sudden departure of Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam) chief and parliamentary leader Chaudhry Shujaat for Germany and France.

Mr Shujaat is expected to return home on July 6, a day after Gen Musharraf’s arrival, and he may take initiative on some sort of rapprochement with the opposition soon after, a party leader said.

The Pakistan Muslim League (Q) leadership is said to be sharply divided over the developments that are taking place, which is taking the government-opposition dispute to the point of no return, especially after the disqualification of an Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) lawmaker.

A senior leaguer claimed that the top brass of the party had divergent views on the government-opposition relations as party chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, along with some other party leaders, desired contin-ued engagement in dialogue process while others were opposed to it.

He expressed his dismay over the disqualification of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal lawmaker, saying that either the government should waive the condition of graduation for becoming lawmakers or it would create extremist feelings among the people.

The Pakistan Muslim League (Q) leader warned against the creation of East Pakistan-like situation when he said some opponent lawmakers were disqualified under government’s influence and the seats were filled by ineligible candidates.

A party vice-president, Kabir Ali Wasti, opined that it was the time for the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal to review its attitude and join hands with the PML-Q government.

He said when both would get together with sincerity, all constitutional issues would be resolved.

When contacted for comments, Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Secretary-General Salim Saifullah Khan said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal instead of protests should prepare for byelection on the National Assembly seat from which its member was disqualified.