ISLAMABAD, April 11: The federal cabinet on Wednesday decided to resolve the Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa standoff through dialogue and without use of force. Ministers belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), however, expressed serious concerns over what they feared the fading writ of the government and objected to the way the issue had so far been handled. They said that a free hand given to the cleric brothers heading Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa would further weaken the government’s authority.

With regard to the ongoing judicial crisis, the cabinet was informed that the government would abide by the judgment of the Supreme Judicial Council.

Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani rejected what he called ‘rumours’ about the prime minister or a farewell photo-session of the cabinet.

“Neither the prime minister has applied for vacation nor was there any truth in these concocted stories and no photo-session was held today.”

He said: “All such rumours and disinformation should stop now and the media, which is enjoying freedom, should use this independence responsibly and judiciously.”

HEC Chairman Dr Attaur Rahman was grilled by some members of the cabinet about the commission’s inability to come up to expectations of the nation, sources said. Minister of State Ishaq Khakwani levelled serious allegations against the HEC chairman relating to what he termed massive corruption.