The Post (Pakistan) : Shujaat accuses BB of sabotaging reconciliation

Shujaat accuses BB of sabotaging reconciliation

Says PML-Q willing to accommodate Sharifs | Opposition reply over APC not positive | Polls on time, says Durrani

Staff Reporter/Agencies | October 24, 2007

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said that PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has sabotaged the national reconciliation process by alleging and asking for registering FIR against the Punjab chief minister.

He expressed these views while addressing a press conference at PML House here on Wednesday.

Benazir Bhutto had tried to give some new direction to Karachi tragedy by getting the case registered, he remarked. PML President said that Punjab Chief Minister was speaking truth by exposing those people who were indulged in corruption during their tenures. "We had a view that there would be national reconciliation but this process had been rejected by the PPP through their immature politics".

However, Shujaat hinted at possible adjustment with the PPP after the general elections in case the coalition government was established. Shujaat, who earlier adopted a very aggressive tone against the PPP leadership, in reply to a question regarding adjustment with the PPP for coalition government said, "PML will contest with PPP in the next general elections and coalition in the next set up will be made with those elected by the public". He went on to say the process for political reconciliation would continue after the general elections.

PML President said it had been decided to call an All Parties Conference and devise code of conduct, but no positive response was shown by the opposition.

Accompanied by the PML secretary general Mushahid Hussain Syed and PML information secretary Tariq Azeem, he expressed his willingness to take on-board Sharif brothers in the national reconciliation process.

About the role of Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman in the next set-up, he said, "Maulana leads a party and discussions always continue in the political process". On the occasion, Mushahid quickly endorsed his point by saying that "we had a dinner with Maulana on Tuesday night at an embassy's function". Shujaat said Nawaz Sharif himself accepted exile, however, Raja Zafar ul Haq was contacted by him for support in the reconciliation process, adding that every one would be included in the reconciliation efforts including Imran Khan, Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif.

Shujaat Hussain said Benazir Bhutto is puzzle at this stage and wants to impose a caretaker setup of her own choice. He said BB is asking for investigation by foreign agencies, but she had no confidence on the foreign courts as she is insisting for acquittal in Swiss case.

PML-Q president further said Benazir Bhutto will never become prime minister adding PPP and PML-Q will be real rivals in upcoming general elections. "Benazir will not become prime minister for the third term. PPP and PML-Q will be rival contenders in next general elections ", he said.

To a question, he said decision of allotting tickets to candidates for contesting elections from PML platform would be made by Parliamentary Board of the party. Earlier, 40 candidates submitted their nomination papers to PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and PML Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed to get party tickets for contesting National Assembly elections.

Those who filed papers included Muhammad Iqbal Dar, Wasi Zafar, Rao Ajmal, Azeem Chaudhry, Rajab Ali Balooch, Shahid Akram Bhinder, Raja Nasir, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Mian Abdul Waheed, Mehnaz Rafi, Dr Donia Aziz, Ms Farrukh Khan, Rana Tariq Javed, Sardar Shah Jehan Yousaf, Ch Hamid Nasir Chattha, Mian Khursheed Ahmed Kasuri, Ejaz-ul-Haq, Maqbool Ahmed Sheikh, Zobaida Jalal and Zahid Hamid.

Shujaat said the election campaign has started and decision regarding the allotment of tickets would be made on merit. In all, 2652 applications have been received so far for general and reserve seats.

While talking to media men here in PML House the information minister Muhammad Ali Durrani has said that the PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto wants to rule Pakistan while residing in London.

When asked whether the Karachi blasts would affect the forthcoming general elections, the minister said that the government was making all necessary efforts to hold the general polls on time. "We are committed to holding general elections on time. The PML and its allied parties are preparing themselves for the next polls. However, it seems that the opposition is not ready for the polls and that is the reason that they are issuing irresponsible statements to deteriorate the political environment," said the minister.

When his attention was drawn to the recent comments of some foreign experts about the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the minister said that the foreign observers should respect Pakistan and its institutions. He warned Non Government Organisation including Human Rights Organisation and said the international institutes should respect Pakistani institutions including Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Shujaat meets Fazl, Baloch

The Post Report

ISLAMABAD: PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain met with MMA Secretary Maulana Fazl-ul-Rehman and Liaquat Baloch at a dinner here Wednesday and exchanged views on current political situation. According to sources, they discussed several issues, including a code of conduct for the general elections, security plan for public meetings and formation of interim government. The talks on seat adjustment with MMA in the NWFP are in process, PML-Q sources said.