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ISLAMABAD: A ‘vital n' 'decisive' round of parleys between MMA and the government held in Islamabad Saturday night ended without any 'very hopeful vistas' for a consensus on a few litigious issues.

Political observers treat the eventual upshot as yet another deadlock, which might inflict an adverse affect on the country's polity. The government side was expected to hand over the constitutional draft package to MMA.

Issues

Issue of retirement age of superior judges remained the main obstacle between much awaited understanding between alliance and government as MMA remained inflexible in its stance on not granting yet another year relaxation against the government’s proposed two years.

Hafiz Hussain Ahmed and Liaquat Baloch were representing MMA side while SM Zafar, PML Chief Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and Tariq Aziz were present on behalf of government in the Saturday night’s significant face-to-face interaction.

Govt withdraws Condition

Government in a major development Friday withdrew the condition of vote of confidence for Musharraf and political circles had started pinning hopes on the success on prolonged talks process when all other differences between the two sides had been resolved except relaxation in the retirement age of judges of the Superior Courts.

It was being expected that December 18 round of MMA-Govt talks would settle the controversy once for all.

Failure of Talks: Hazards

However, the failure of talks virtually place a lot of hazrads to all such assessments n' speculations. Later, the government pledged to give the draft package document to MMA on December-24.

When contacted, an MMA central leader, who was the part of MMA team in the parleys confirmed the deadlock.
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Agreement on LFO in 48 hours

Yet the Deputy Secretary General of MMA, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed views with icons of optimism that the agreement between MMA and Government over the Legal Framework Order is expected to be signed within forty-eight hours.

President PML (Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has also disclosed that National Assembly session will be held on Dec 26 in which Constitutional Amendment package will be presented, Hafiz said by adding that 'he held telephonic talks with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Saturday and discussed the constitutional package'.

He said that the agreed constitutional bill will be presented in the Parliament on Dec 26 and MMA will support it in both the Houses of the Parliament. He said that 'the PML (Q) chief has handed over a message for Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman which was conveyed to them instantly'.

Hafiz Hussain Ahmed said that all the contentious points of the package have been settled and further talks with the government is in progress. He said that both Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman have expressed their satisfaction over the negotiations.

Talks at Final Stage

MMA Central leader Liaquat Baloch in an interview with a private television Channel said that talks with the government are at final stage, but government is reluctant to finalize the deal.

He said most of the contentious points of the LFO have been resolved, but two or three points remained unresolved. MMA has also accepted one year extension in the age limit of High and Supreme Court Judges.

While talking to a group of Multan based journalists over telephone, Liaquat Baloch said that MMA would stage a sit in protest in Islamabad instead of holding a public rally. He said that if government tries to stop, 'it would be its last day in the power'.

Qazi warns to give call for march to Islamabad

The caravan of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) arrived Shaikhupura from Lahore on Saturday for a public meeting to protest against the government.

The procession was led by Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Liaquat Baloch and other leaders.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed addressing the meeting warned that if the government backed out of the agreement on LFO the MMA would give a call for a march to Islamabad. MMA does not accepts LFO as a genuine part of the constitution only the peoples representatives could amend the constitution, he added.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed said that MMA is struggling to enforce Islamic laws in the  country. He criticised the internal and external policies of the government. He demanded the release of political detainees.

The MMA chief demanded the government to table the constitutional amendment bill in the house.

Earlier, the MMA General Secretary, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman in his address said that LFO was not a part of the constitution.

The Maulana said that MMA would oppose the policies of the government. He also criticised the government action in tribal areas. Prof. Sajid Mir, Allam Munawar Hassan, Hafiz Hussain Ahmad and Liaqat Baloach also addressed the rally and criticised the policies of the government.

The leaders of MMA also addressed the public rallies at Farooqabad, Khanqadogran and Pindi Bhattian.

'No Talks Now'

Later addressing a press conference in Karachi MMA Chief said that MMA has already given maximum concessions to President General Pervez Musharraf, and now it has nothing more to give him.

'There will be no more talks. Now the government team is supposed to show the amended constitutional bill to us and then present it in the parliament for approval,' he remarked.

Elaborating the agreed points between the government and the MMA, Qazi Hussein Ahmed said the government had accepted the main point that the LFO was not part of the constitution, and it would be presented in the parliament for the same.

Secondly, General Musharraf will give up one office, either the President or the Chief of Army Staff by December 31, 2004.

Thirdly, the National Security Council will not be part of the constitution. The fourth point is that if President exercises article 58-2B, the matter will be sent to the Supreme Court within 15 days, and the court will dispose it of within next 15 days, he said.