KARACHI: The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Abul Quasem, yesterday expressed himself in favour of not more than two political parties in the country.

Talking to newsman on arrival from Rawalpindi by Tezgam, he said that one party was the Muslim League and the other should also be on an all-Pakistan basis.

The Deputy Speaker said that there should be no smaller groups in the interest of the country. Only two parties should function on proper and sound lines.

About the proposed formation of a new political party as announced by the Home Minister, Mr Habibullah Khan, the Deputy Speaker said: “This is not an easy job.” He said the Home Minister was making fantastic statements and added: “We should not take notice of him because he is a newcomer.”

The Deputy Speaker, who is himself a Muslim Leaguer, said that the President had told him in clear words that he would not side with any political party in the country. The President’s neutrality will be in the best interest of the country, he observed.

Mr Abul Quasem said that the Muslim Leaguers will explore the possibilities of merging other parties with the Muslim League in order to strengthen and consolidate it. During his visit to Karachi and East Pakistan, he said he would have discussions in this connection.

About the popularity of Muslim League in East Pakistan, the Deputy Speaker said that had some of the Muslim Leaguers not accepted Ministership in the Cabinet, the organisation would have been much popular there.

Mr Abul Quasem said in reply to a question that he did not agree with a statement made by Mr Nurul Amin in Dacca. He said democracy was to be restored by the political parties and, therefore, we must make effort to re-organise the political parties on proper lines.

The Deputy Speaker said that the responsibility for Muslim League’s downfall in East Pakistan in 1954 was entirely on Mr Mohammed Ali (the present External Affairs Minister), who had put the organisation in cold storage during the tenure of his office. He did not know if Mr Mohammed Ali would remain in the Muslim League or not. — Staff Correspondent