Pakistan Views

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid Altaf Hussain has said that Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s statement and views on resolving the judicial crisis were not only absolutely in line with the truth (Haqparastana), but also exactly in accordance with the principles of Islam, law, constitution and justice. In a handout released here, MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain, hailing the courageous statement and views of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) leader, Maulana Fazlur Rahman, said that his statement and views were not only truthful, but also exactly in consonance with the principles of Islam, law, constitution and justice. He said that 98 percent poor and the middle class people were already suffering from the agonies of mental and social problems due to price-hikes and extreme shortage of gas and electricity, while on the other hand some political elements were busy in formulating their future line of action based on confrontation on the issue of judicial crisis, which would further pile miseries on the millions of hapless starving people. Altaf Hussain, therefore, urged for seriously considering the proposals of Maulana Fazlur Rahman for resolving the judicial crisis.

PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Asfandyar Wali will be taken into confidence about the accord with Mian Nawaz Sharif reached in Dubai, reported private TV channel. Zardari was speaking to media persons after meeting with Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other leaders of JUI(F) in Islamabad.He said that he had talked with the Maulana about various national issues the country is facing including Fata and restoration of judges. “We would nearly stick to twelfth of May about the restoration of judges,” the TV channel quoted him as saying. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, talking to media said that they would clear their stance about the restoration of judges when the resolution would be placed in the National Assembly and added it was the responsibility of two major parties to take coalition partners into confidence but they have not fulfilled their responsibility. “So now we are not able to respond to their agreement.”

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad met here on Saturday night.Both the leaders discussed the various issues including national affairs and political situation in Sindh.During the meeting with Sindh governor, Fazlur Rehman talked to MQM Chief Altaf Hussain by phone for an hour. In his telephonic conversation, Maulana appreciated the efforts of Sindh governor for the ongoing reconciliation process in Sindh and the country.

Jaamat-i-Islami ameer and MMA president Qazi Hussain Ahmad has said that the nation does not acknowledge the Supreme Court created by an individual nor accept its decisions. The ruling alliance should not use the present Supreme Court for its objectives and instead make amendments in the constitution to bring it in its original shape and to eliminate the amendments forced into it by an individual. Qazi stressed that rulers should restore all judges including chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhri and avoid delaying the impeachment of Gen Musharraf. Qazi said Gen Musharraf had put the graduation condition to block the way of religious parties to the parliament and had always used it as a tool to put pressure on them. He said no such condition was there before 2002 and all previous assemblies had worked better than the graduate assembly, while the assembly which made the constitution of Pakistan was also not graduate. He asked the ruling alliance that it should use constitutional path for making whatever changes it wanted to bring into the system instead of taking support of the controversial Supreme Court. He said all parties had already agreed in the London APC that 17th amendment and LFO should be abolished to bring the constitution in its original shape.

Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam (F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the Pakistan People’s Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the lawyers are responsible for the incidents of Karachi. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, he said that where such incidents happen then the forces of the same area are the responsible for these.Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that if this process is not stopped then democracy cannot continue in the country.He said that why does Aitezaz Ahsan not accept his fault instead putting the responsibility on others.Fazlur Rehman said that whatever the decision for the restoration of judges would be made it would be acceptable for him. Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that there is need for strengthening the parliament and not for accountability of the president.

Co-Chairman PPP Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday phoned Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmed and discussed prevailing political situation in the country.According to a press release, Qazi congratulated him on formation of PPP-led government at the centre and expressed good wishes for the new government.He hoped that the newly established government would come upto the expectations of the nation.Qazi also welcomed the statement of Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani in which they said that decisions on all national issues would be taken in the parliament.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Thursday said his party has decided in principle to sit on the opposition benches in NWFP assembly. Addressing the journalists here, he said Pakistan People’s Party solicited me for advice over candidate for the premiership, adding, ‘However, I told them this is the internal matter of their party.’ Maulana Fazl said that his party decided in principle to sit on the opposition benches in NWFP assembly.Reacting to a question, JUI-F chief said the troubles of tribal areas may be addressed through negotiations and jirga system, adding, ‘If the government courts my help in this regard, I will extend my cooperation to every length possible.’ Maulana Fazlur Rehman said he used his vote for elections of speaker at NA floor.
Maulana Fazl said his party would side with the large parties over the issue of restoration of the deposed judges, adding his party supports the free judiciary in the country.
JUI-F chief said the matter regarding the restoration of judges is legal and constitutional in nature; however, every side will have to show flexibility in case the whole matter lands in blind alley.The negotiations with other coalition partners are in progress, he added.

Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarian (PPP) President Makhdoom Amin Fahim called off his meetings with Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and Jamaat Islami amir Qazi Hussain Ahmed on Sunday morning. Amin Fahim said he was scheduled to arrive today in Lahore to hold meetings with Mian Nawaz Sharif and Qazi Hussain Ahmed; however, he is canceling the programme owing to his party related schedule here in Islamabad. Meantime, the parliamentary parties of PPPP and PML-N are holding their meetings here in Islamabad. These sessions would mull over the significant affairs including future course of action.

Senior Vice-Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Makhdoom Amin Fahim on Friday held talks with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman to the chagrin of party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. According to well-placed party sources, the strategy adopted by senior party leader, who happens to be the president of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians which bagged the highest number of seats in the National Assembly, has led to widen the gulf between him and Mr Zardari.
ASIF ZARDARI IS SAID TO BE KEEPING HIS CARDS CLOSE TO HIS CHEST AS HE’S NOT WILLING TO LAY HIS CARDS ON THE TABLE TO TELL AMIN FAHIM WHAT HIS PLANS, IDEAS, ETC:
The sources claimed that the meeting between Fazlur Rahman and Amin Fahim was deliberately designed to embarrass the co-chairman as Mr Fahim had made it strongly clear to everyone that he was still a strong contender for the premiership unless Mr Zardari publicly offered his self for this post.
“The present crisis could cause serious damage to party’s prospects ahead of election of leader of the house in the National Assembly,” the sources said, adding that an elegant and polite Amin Fahim was now full of bitter feelings and hatred and had a strong desire to hurt those who caused damage to his reputation in the last few days.
The sources said that Mr Fahim had made it clear to Mr Zardari that he had been a victim of a vilification campaign orchestrated by some people within the party and outside and that he would regard his nomination for the premiership as a clear vindication of his conduct during Benazir Bhutto’s self-imposed exile and after her assassination and the way he had organised and managed the party. “Not only is he holding high moral ground given his track record, he derives his real strength from the fact that he happens to be the head of a party which has bagged the highest number of seats in the February 18 elections,” the sources said and added that it was only during his consultation with legal minds following Khawaja Asif of PML-N’s criticism on his candidature that he decided to work out a strategy with a view to not only stopping a bad situation from a complete failure, but salvage his reputation in an effective and meaningful manner. Sources said that Mr Fahim believed that his prospects to become prime minister had not received a serious jolt despite Mr Zardari’s overt reluctance to nominate him for this slot for he the former had been told by some legal experts that Article 63A of the Constitution with regard to disqualification on grounds of defection had helped him do what was necessary to make a particular situation successful.
“The situation suggests the possibility of a split in the party if it is not brought under control in the next 24 hours,” the party sources said and added that Mr Zardari had been facing an extremely difficult and unpleasant situation.
APP ADDS: Senior Vice-Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Makhdoom Amin Fahim on Friday started contacts with other party’s coalition partners. In this connection, Amin Fahim held first meeting with Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, and discussed post-election scenario, especially formation of the coalition government. Both the leaders found their views close to each other for developing a joint working relationship to strengthen the democracy and ensure supremacy of the Constitution, sources said. Later talking to media, Amin Fahim said the meeting was “not political but a personal one” while describing the purpose of meeting, he termed it “part of the ongoing consultation process for formation of the new government in the Centre and the provinces.” Replying to question about nomination of prime minister, Amin Fahim said that political activities were on rise and dilemma of nomination of the prime minister was an internal mater of the PPP would soon be resolved. In reply to a question, he dismissed the possibilities of any forward bloc in PPP. “If you have heard such reports, those are baseless,” he remarked. He said the dilemma of nomination of prime minister would soon be resolved, adding,” the political chessboard has still been laid.” Meanwhile, Makhdoom Amin Fahim also tried to call on Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali, but the latter reportedly regretted to meet the senior PPP leader. “Asfandyar Wali has regretted to meet Makhdoom Amin Fahim due to very busy schedule on Friday,” ANP spokesman of Zahid Khan told media. Amin Fahim, on the other hand, said his meeting with Asfandyar Wali was not pre-fixed and that Asfandyar had not refused to meet him on Friday,” ANP spokesman of Zahid Khan told media. Amin Fahim, on the other hand, said his meeting with Asfandyar Wali was not pre-fixed and that Asfandyar had not refused to meet him.

Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam (JUI) President Maulana Fazlul-Rehman here on Sunday said that major political parties of the country had to take the decision regarding the impeachment against President Pervez Musharraf, however, if there was a movement launched in this direction, his party would fully support it.
“Negotiations have been accomplished with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) regarding the sharing of power and we are waiting for the response from PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari”, JUI leader added. The Maulana talking to the media persons at Jamia Madina Karim Park during the day said that Qazi Hussein Ahmad was the inactive president of the MMA. “We will form government in Balochistan with the PPP rather than Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). He also said that new demands of Americans were against the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity of the homeland and it could not be accepted at any cost. In the past, Pervez Musharraf accepted the American demands against the will and wishes of the masses and defamed image of the Muslims at the international level. Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman said: “New Americans Demands” were a severe attack on the independence of the country and grave violation of the Constitution.” The nation would not allow Pervez Musharraf to follow the American polices and Pakistan would not be made an American colony while Ummah would give every sacrifice for the protection of the motherland, he added. He said that it was shameful for the nation that an Indian spy Kashmir Singh had been released as a goodwill gesture while the chief justice of Pakistan was detained causing humiliation of the country at the international level. The Maulana said that Qazi Hussain Ahmad created a gulf and controversies in the ranks of the MMA and it would take time to settle down their ill affects. He said he MMA’s decision to boycott general election was fruitless.