April 28, 2008	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 21, 1429

HYDERABAD, April 27: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) chief Moulana Fazlur Rehman has said that a National Assembly resolution cannot be equated with law, but hastened to add that his party will not create any impediment to the reinstatement of deposed judges of the superior judiciary, whether they are restored through a resolution or a constitutional amendment.

He was speaking at the “Meet the Press” programme at the press club here on Sunday. He said that over the past eight years the country had been in grip of national and external crises and the sovereignty of the country had been sold out cheaply. He said that the biggest challenge being faced by the country even today was to maintain its sovereignty and restore its image and honour in the comity of nations.

He said that the so-called US-led war on terrorism had resulted in bloodshed throughout the world and due to it terrorism had not only increased in intensity but had also expanded.

He said that the use of force had created innumerable problems for the country and added that there was no solution to the problem except political solution through negotiations.

The Awami National Party government in the NWFP, the Moulana said, was making headway in this direction and wanted to resolve the issue through Jirga system.

He said that Pakistan Democratic Alliance leadership had made it clear to American officials who had recently visited Pakistan that the long standing problem could not be solved with use of force but only through negotiations.

He said that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal had been criticised for supporting the 17th amendment but the agreement at that time was in the best interest of the nation which was violated by the other party on Dec 31, 2004.

He claimed that it had been agreed at the multi-parties conference in London to repeal the 17th amendment. He said that it was right time to repeal the amendment as two third majority was there. Not to vote for the repeal of the amendment, the Moulana said, would be a bigger crime than the introduction of the amendment to the constitution.

Answering a question about the restoration of deposed judges of superior judiciary, he said that the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), who were signatories to the Charter of Democracy and Bhurban Declaration, were engaged in talks (on the issue) about which he had no knowledge.

He said that when the matter was brought before the parliament, his party would be in a position to give its opinion.

About his meeting with the Sindh governor, he said that it was a goodwill meeting and added that he had also talked to Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain on telephone. On the inclusion of the MQM in the government, he said favoured the policy of national reconciliation and tolerance.

Answering another question, the Moulana said that dictatorship should first be weakened and then eliminated.