ISLAMABAD, April 15: The secretary-general of People’s Party Parliamentarian, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Tuesday demanded of the government to initiate dialogue with the joint opposition, rather than Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal (MMA).

Talking to newsmen at the Parliament House, he said, only the government could end the deadlock on the issue of Legal Framework Order (LFO).

“Our party would not compromise on this issue,” he said. Holding the government responsible for “constitutional crisis”, he said the government should hold dialogue with the joint opposition on all issues, including the LFO.

“PPP does not believe in any deal. We could be part of the government if we had a deal,” he said, adding, those who became part of the government by virtue of Benazir Bhutto’s vote bank, they should refrain from issuing statements against the PPP leadership.

He said politicians should avoid making deals to achieve personal gains, as this was destroying country’s political culture.-APP

Our Reporter Adds: The PPP leader Mian Raza Rabbani said the address of the President to both the Houses of parliament was a mandatory requirement under Clause (3) of Article 56 of the Constitution, which clearly states that after every general election and the first session of each year the President “shall” address both the Houses assembled together.

In a statement here on Tuesday, he said it was a matter of deep concern that the information minister was unaware of the Constitutional provisions and requirements. “It is pointed out for the information of the minister that this provision has been retained under the LFO as well.”

He said this statement of the minister reflected the scant respect the PML-Q government had for the Constitution and the law. It also explains that the support of the PML-Q to the LFO is prompted by the consideration of staying in power, he said.