OKARA, March 21: The government would convene an all-party conference within a few days to forge a national consensus on the Iraq issue, Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal said on Friday.

Speaking to a gathering at the Okara Arts Council, he said “we need national consensus to meet this international crisis.”

The minister said that Pakistan was not an ally of the US against Iraq. “Pakistan was a US ally against Taliban because they were not listening to world and their neighbours but now the invasion of Iraq held some different background. We are not going to act as a frontline state now.”

Rao Iqbal announced the construction of the 19-km-long Okara bypass and a colony for journalists at 3/4.L.

He announced Rs500,000 grant for the Okara press club to improve its building and to have latest devices needed for communication. MNA Rai Muhammad Aslam Kharal announced Rs100,000 for the club.