KARACHI, Sept 2: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s coordination committee has supported President Musharraf’s dialogue initiative with Israel and felt that there was no justification for its opposition because the Palestinians themselves were negotiating peace with Israel.

The coordination committee meeting was presided by its convenor Dr Imran Farooq which was attended by Dr Farooq Sattar, Anwar Alam, Abdul Haseeb and others in Pakistan while others in the international secretariat, London were linked up via phone line.

While reviewing the meeting between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and Israel the coordination committee maintained that over the years some Arab countries had recognized Israel after fighting several wars.

It was critical of those elements that were opposed to peace moves and maintained that they were the same elements who were also opposed to dialogue within the country.

The MQM coordination committee referred to the India–Pakistan wars and the current peace process besides the moves to resolve the Irish issue through dialogue and said that Pakistan should assist the Palestinians in a negotiated settlement of their conflict with Israel. It also called upon the Muslim countries to support the process.

The MQM coordination committee nevertheless stressed the need for taking the people of Pakistan into confidence before taking any conclusive decision.