ISLAMABAD, April 21: The ruling PML-Q parliamentary party and its allies on Monday decided to formally invite the combined opposition for comprehensive talks on the Legal Framework Order (LFO).

“There is no deadlock nor the assemblies will be dissolved, and we have decided to formally invite the opposition tomorrow or the day after tomorrow to have a dialogue on the LFO and other issues,” said Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali.

He told reporters after a PML-Q parliamentary party meeting, also attended by allied parties, that the government would remove its differences with the opposition by holding a “positive dialogue”.

Mr Jamali said the parliamentary meeting was convened to finalize the future course of action keeping in view the persistent opposition’s protest both in and outside parliament.

Asked whether the formal offer of dialogue was being made after his and PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s meeting with President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Sunday, Mr Jamali said: “The president is not against the dialogue and he has no inhibition in meeting even with the opposition to discuss the LFO or for that matter any other issue.”

Replying to a question, he said the formal talks with the combined opposition would be held in the light of a decision of the cabinet meeting held last week.

The prime minister denied that there were “cracks” in the ruling party over the LFO. “My party is absolutely united and there are no differences among us,” he claimed.

When asked whether during his meeting with the president, the issue of removing Gen Musharraf’s military uniform and 58(2)(B) were also discussed, he said: “There are many things which I cannot share with you nor am supposed to tell you everything that is discussed with the president.”

“Mr Prime Minister, will you also meet those parties whose leadership is sitting in Dubai and Jeddah?” a reporter asked.

Mr Jamali said he would meet all parties without any discrimination.

Answering a question, he said it was wrong to presume that the ruling party had decided “not” to hold any dialogue with the opposition in parliament. When reminded that Chaudhry Shujaat has said that there would be no talks with the opposition in parliament, he said no PML leader was against talks. “We can meet anywhere to sort out our differences with the opposition,” he added.

In reply to another question, he said present assemblies were elected to stay and nobody was interested in dissolving them. “But those who don’t want these assemblies, they should resign and go home,” he advised.

The prime minister pointed out that those who were wishing to see the present assemblies dissolved were not doing any favour to their electorates and the people at large. “It is really sad to see the statements of some opposition people in this behalf, but I want to disappoint them by saying that present assemblies will complete their terms,” Mr Jamali said.