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Govt-MQM talks

may resume

on Friday: Khan

ISLAMABAD: The deadlock in talks between the government and MQM is expected to end within a week.

Addressing a press conference at his residence on Friday afternoon, Federal Minister for Law and Justice ND Khan said that the talks "are expected to resume in Islamabad on Aug 25 or 26".

He said that "Senate and National Assembly will have morning and evening sessions. Therefore, the talks, most probably, can start on week-ends."

Khan who is also heading the government team in talks said that his team is meeting in Islamabad on the 20th to finalize the date for resumption of talks. Afaq Shahid and Zohair Akram Nadeem who nowadays are in Karachi will also reach Islamabad to attend the meeting.

"We are ready to once again enter the process of talks sincerely and with open heart," the law minister said, and added that it would be better and saving of time if MQM sits for talks with clarifications demanded by the government on some vital issues.

However, he made it clear that clarification will not be a condition for resumption of talks and, said: "We can take up clarification during the process of talks."

The minister said MQM is responsible for wasting time due to suspension of talks. Many of the points on the agenda could have been sorted out if the talks were not suspended, he said.

He welcomed the MQM for asking the government to give a date for talks but regretted that it was after the wastage of almost a month-long period.

Khan said that he was shocked at reading a joint statement from MQM in which Ajmal Dehlavi has termed a letter written to MQM by him (ND Khan) as 'unfounded and rubbish.'

The minister said that the joint statement carries nothing but a propaganda value. "Ajmal Dehlavi should have written a direct letter to me," he added.

He reiterated that he want to recognise the formula of give-and-take. Both the sides have mandate and they can play a role in putting an end to terrorism. In this connection, he said, MQM should disown terrorists and criminals.

He once again rejected an impression that the government wants to create rift in a political party or is trying to form another faction of MQM.

He said that it happens then it will be due to internal differences. The government has never tried to adopt such tactics.-PPI