ISLAMABAD, March 4: The Pakistan Muslim League-N is reported to have agreed to start dialogue with the government if the Punjab government is restored.

Sources in the PML-N told Dawn that during a meeting with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif here on Wednesday, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan agreed ‘in principle’ that the decision to impose governor’s rule in Punjab was uncalled for.

Maulana Fazl and Mr Khan are mediating between the Sharif brothers and the government in an effort to defuse the crisis.

Addressing a press conference, along with Mr Sharif, after the meeting, the veteran politicians from the NWFP said they were satisfied with the discussion and that the efforts for reconciliation had made some progress.They, however, refused to elaborate.

Maulana Fazl said he and the ANP chief had met President Asif Ali Zardari two days ago and they were of the opinion that there was room for reconciliation, and there was no complete deadlock.

He said Mr Sharif had made some proposals which could be made the basis for moving ahead. “Differences are not something unusual in politics, but these should be confined to certain parameters where no harm is caused to the country. The country is facing external challenges and cannot afford internal strife at this crucial juncture.”

The JUI-F chief said Mr Sharif also wanted to end the crisis, but demanded that the ‘unpleasant decision’ should be taken back to create an atmosphere conducive to reconciliation.

He made no comment when asked who would guarantee that agreements reached by the PPP and the PML-N would be honoured. But the Maulana said he thought it was debatable that the agreement on restoration of judiciary had not been implemented.

Mr Khan also expressed optimism about the success of reconciliation efforts and said that terrorism and law and order situa

tion demanded national unity.

Referring to the Supreme Court verdict disqualifying the Sharif brothers from contesting any election or holding public office, he said that political decisions should not be taken in courts.

He said the purpose of meeting Mr Sharif was to find out if there was any possibility for conciliation and he was fully satisfied with the progress.

Mr Sharif said he had discussed with Maulana Fazl and Mr Khan the political situation and they had expressed concern over the political turmoil.

A PML-N leader told Dawn that the decision to participate in the lawyers’ long march would not be taken back and the struggle would continue till restoration of the pre-Nov 3 judiciary.

He said the condition of restoring the pre-Feb 25 political situation was only for starting dialogue with the government and once the talks began the PML-N would lay stress on restoration of the judiciary.
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