May 6, 2005	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 26, 1426

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LAHORE, May 5: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal sees prospects of cooperation with the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy “despite some differences” MMA secretary-general and opposition leader in the National Assembly Maulana Fazlur Rehman said there existed chances of cooperation between the alliances and added that he wished a joint strategy for ousting the army dictator.

Talking to reporters after opening a shopping complex and laying foundation stone of extension of a mosque in Anarkali on Thursday, he said contacts between the ARD and the MMA were continuing.

Regarding the PPP’s demand for fresh elections in 2005, Fazl said the MMA wanted polls in 2007 so that people could see the performance of their elected institutions and their confidence in democracy was strengthened.

He lashed out at those criticizing the MMA for signing the 17th amendment, saying they were condemning the amendment and enjoying its fruits simultaneously.

About President Musharraf’s address to the joint session of the parliament, the opposition leader said the address was a constitutional requirement, but the army ruler had made his presidency controversial by violating the Constitution.

Replying to a query about his party’s demand for attending the National Security Council meeting by him, as well as NWFP chief minister Akram Durrani, Fazl said the demand was made to protect the interests of the NWFP.

However, final decision on it would be taken by the MMA Supreme Council, he said, hoping flexibility in the attitude of his colleagues in the religious alliance. The JUI-F’s demand could not damage the alliance, he added.

Fazl did not see any possibility of the PML-N joining the MMA at the moment. Under the present scenario, any change in the opposition alliances would damage the cause of restoration of democracy, he said.

The MMA leader would not comment on the role of the NWFP government in the arrest of an al-Qaeda suspect, Abul Faraj Allibi, saying he was not aware of the circumstances of the arrest.

About the US general’s statement on launching a joint operation with Pakistan army in North Waziristan for hunting down al-Qaeda men, he said the statement had caused concern among the nation but the Peshawer corps commander had clarified and denied it.

Maulana said the whole nation was anxiously waiting for the resolution of Kashmir issue in the light of the UN resolutions but floating ‘impractical proposals’ could make the situation more complex and difficult to solve. He said so far no such proposal had been floated that could be acceptable to all the stakeholders.