ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Wednesday discussed the prospects and consequences of probable resignations of MMA from the National Assembly seats.

The MMA has announced that it will finalise its strategy on quitting the National Assembly seats when its parliamentary party meets in Islamabad in the first week of December.

Sources privy to the meeting, which took place at the prime minister house here, said the two leaders discussed various steps to deal with the situation and took various decisions.

Chaudhry Shujaat briefed the prime minister about his contacts with various MMA leaders and other concerned quarters, the sources said, adding that Chaudhry Shujaat was confident that the issue of resignations would be resolved amicably, and the MMA would be pursued to reconsider its decision.

They also discussed the ongoing, behind-the-scene talks between the PPP and Gen Musharraf’s power bargainers.

The prime minister also met Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mohammed Yousuf and discussed the situation in Balochistan.

On the passage of women’s right bill, he said the government would continue to introduce legislations to abolish discriminatory laws and practices from society.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammed Ali Durrani also attended the meeting.

According to an official handout, Prime Minister Aziz and Chaudhry Shujaat reviewed various legislative measures proposed to provide further security to women in the country and ensure protection of their rights in keeping with the injunctions of the Quran and Sunnah.

The prime minister said the new bill tabled in the National Assembly by the PML president would help eliminate several unhealthy social practices from society resulting in the exploitation of women. The passage of the bill would provide justice and security to women, particularly those belonging to under-privileged sections of society.

The two leaders also discussed overall political situation and organisational matters of the PML.

The meeting noted that the pace of development, particularly provision of electricity, gas roads and other essentials has been at the highest levels ever.

It also reviewed initiatives related to the income generation, skills improvement and job creation.

“Our economic policies are geared towards improving the quality of life of the people,” said the prime minister.

In his meeting with Jam Yousuf, Mr Aziz said that the government was paying special attention to the holistic development of Balochistan.