ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said on Wednesday that the agreement with the MMA “has proven that for President Musharraf Pakistan comes first.”

In a brief chat with reporters at the residence of PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain after the signing of the agreement, he said: “President Musharraf has given a big sacrifice and proved that Pakistan comes first.”

The prime minister said the government will also talk with other parties and take them along in the best interest of the nation and the country.

PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said on this occasion that President Gen Pervez Musharraf has rendered supreme sacrifice for the country.

He said the president has proved that he is a well-wisher of the country.

He said the government “can benefit from the healthy criticism of MMA” while in opposition and said it will support the government in its endeavours to bring about a positive improvement in the life of the people of Pakistan.

He said the MMA will sit in the opposition.

Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri also welcomed the accord, saying it was the triumph of consensus builders.

He praised President Musharraf’s statesmanship and the flexibility shown by him in this behalf.

The foreign minister made special mention of the late Maulana Noorani who he said wanted consensus on the issue of LFO. —APP