950807

Gilani advises all

political forces to

jointly restore

peace in Karachi

RECORDER REPORT

MULTAN: Speaker of National Assembly, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has offered to convene "in-camera" session to discuss the Karachi situation but he would take all political parties into confidence before taking this step.

Talking to newsmen here on Monday evening he said that government should bring evidences, if it possesses, against MQM about its involvement in terrorist activities. However, he was of the view that no political force, including MQM, was a terrorist organisation.

To a question, Gilani said that deadlock in dialogue between MQM and the government was not in the interest of the country and the nation, however, he can't say who is responsible for this deadlock.

Commenting on Karachi situation he said that it is very complicated issue which cannot be resolved within days. All political forces should cooperate with the government in restoration of peace and tranquillity in the city.

The Speaker said that he called on President Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari and Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and discussed the Karachi issue. Both of them said that government was trying, according to its resources, to combat the crimes and terrorist activities in Karachi.

To a question he categorically stated that country's security was not in danger "because our defence is in strong hands who are perfectional soldiers and who are capable to meet every situation."

He said that government had injured the privilege of the Speaker by not implementing his ruling regarding the production of the detainees in the House.

He said that he had referred this issue to Privilege Committee but it could not reach any decision due to non-cooperation of the opposition. He said that opposition should take part in the meetings of NA committees. However, ruling of the speaker cannot be challenged in any court of law, he maintained.