August 11, 2003	Monday	Jumadi-us-Sani 12, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

RAWALPINDI, Aug 10: Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has said about 60 per cent of the contentious points relating to the LFO have been resolved with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA).

The minister was answering questions at a meet-the-press programme at the Rawalpindi Press Club on Sunday.

He underlined the need for keeping the dialogue process continuing and hoped that the remaining issues would also be resolved. A few more rounds of talks are likely to be held with the MMA, he said, adding that the president had shown considerable flexibility on the LFO. He said there was no deadlock on the issue.

The minister also underlined the need for convening a session of the National Assembly.

He denied the impression that the government had tried to strike any secret deal with the MMA. “The government is functioning smoothly and the assemblies will complete their tenure. The government is not striking any bargain on the fate of the assemblies,” he added.

When asked why the package had not been finalized, he said the MMA brought new issues which delayed the process. “Our position is very clear on the basic issues of the LFO, like the president’s uniform, the National Security Council and article 58 (2-B),” he added.

In response to another question, the minister said the government had not yet taken any decision on sending troops to Iraq.

About the Swiss court’s verdict against Benazir Bhutto, Mr Rashid said the case had been filed about five years ago. The couple, he added, destroyed their political career by resorting to corrupt practices. He said about $11 million had been received by them in bribes from awarding contracts. Similarly, another $60 million ill-gotten money stashed in 61 accounts in Swiss banks had also been unearthed, he added.

“This is only the first case. Dozens of such cases exist which will soon come to light. The London cases are yet to come,” he pointed out.

On Afghanistan, he said Pakistan wanted brotherly relations with Afghans. The Pakhtoon, he said, had not been given due share in the Afghan government. He said troops were stationed on the Pakistan-Afghan border to dispel the impression that foreign agents were active there or that the Taliban were operating from Pakistan.