RAWALPINDI, Oct 21: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Thursday the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) should set an agenda for talks if it wanted to hold negotiations with someone higher than the three-member cabinet committee formed by the speaker National Assembly.

Speaking at a public meeting here, the minister said the cabinet committee was powerful enough to hold negotiations with the opposition. The MMA would suffer if any political crisis was created in the country, he added.

He said that on the one hand the MMA had formed governments in two provinces, but on the other hand it was trying to create instability at the Centre.

He said it was unfortunate that the opposition was not serious about the proceedings of parliament.

This attitude would be harmful for the country's stability, he said, adding that it was also the responsibility of the opposition not to create instability in the country.

Sheikh Rashid said the ARD wanted to use the MMA for its own ulterior motives.

He said many of the opposition parties, which were now opposing President Musharraf's uniform, had supported President Ayub and President Zia when they were in uniform. The opposition had nothing to show for its performance in the NWFP, he added.

He criticized the opposition for seeking help from foreign embassies at a time when it was claiming that it enjoyed popular support.

He said he would meet MMA leaders, including Maulana Fazalur Rehman, and hold talks over the prevailing situation in the country. The minister said he had always maintained that the MMA was an ally of the government.

Balochistan assessment: The sub-committee of the parliamentary committee on Balochistan met under the chairmanship of Senator Mushahid Hussain for the second consecutive day and approved a work plan for the committee.

The vice-chairman of the joint parliamentary committee on Balochistan and deputy chairman Senate, Khalilur Rehman was also present on the occasion.

The sub-committee will visit Quetta and Gwadar in the first week of November, 2004 and examine all aspects of the issues that have been discussed or based on "on the spot assessment and interaction with the provincial government as well as relevant public figures".

The sub-committee has so far held three meetings spanning over eight hours of intensive debate and discussions on the current situation in Balochistan.

Senator Mushahid Hussain thanked the government departments for responding positively to the issues identified by the sub-committee.

He also thanked the members for their positive attitude in promoting a problem-solving approach to issues pertaining to Balochistan. He expressed the hope that with such a positive approach, the Sub-Committee will succeed in finding solution to problems within its stipulated time frame.-APP