Fazl holds Nawaz responsible for deadlock

Fazl holds Nawaz responsible for deadlock

Wednesday, 11 Mar, 2009 | 04:20 AM PST |

Maulana says that Sharifs talk in mild tones during negotiations but their tone in public gatherings is quite the opposite. - APP/File photo.

ISLAMABAD: JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur Rehman has held Nawaz Sharif responsible for the deadlock in the ongoing reconciliation between the government and PML-N, for political stability in the country.

‘President Asif Ali Zardari has assured to accept Nawaz Sharif’s conditions including restoration of Punjab government, therefore, the ball is in Sharif’s court now,’ Fazl-ur Rehman told newsmen, after meeting the advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior, Rehman Malik on Tuesday.

Maulana said restoration of Shahbaz Sharif led Punjab government to pre February 24 position topped the conditions presented by Nawaz Sharif for reconciliation with the government.

Meanwhile, Nawaz did not stress for reinstatement of deposed chief justice and demanded of PPP as ruling party and Asif Ali Zardari as President, to invite lawyers for negotiations.

Zardari accepted both the demands, besides assuring review of the disqualification decision of Sharif brothers. However, he sought time for getting legal opinion on the matter and demanded Nawaz Sharif’s assurance to call off the long march in case the demands were met, said Maulana.

Later, Maulana said, they met Nawaz Sharif in Lahore and apprised him of government’s flexible attitude for reconciliation but Nawaz Sharif was in a hurry for the fulfillment of his demands.

‘It’s a complex legal and constitutional issue and revision would certainly take required time. It was also to be legally evaluated, whether the President could do so or not before announcement of full SC decision,’ Maulana said.

‘Although Nawaz Sharif claimed that it could be possible within 24 hours but he failed to provide any legal and constitutional procedures for the purpose,’ he added.

Subsequently; the matter was left pending with the PML-N to come up with legal and constitutional procedures while the government was ready for implementation, he said.

‘We are negotiating with Nawaz League with positive intentions. Asfandyar Wali and I are still in contact and waiting for them but they have not turned up,’ remarked Maulana.

He deplored Nawaz Sharif’s attitude as he said, ‘Nawaz Sharif wanted fulfillment of his conditions immediately before March 11 but he neither gave legal procedure nor accepted government’s demand to convince lawyers for calling off long march.’

‘Zardari was giving assurances but Nawaz, in response, was not ready to act practically. Nawaz must give guarantee to call off the long march otherwise progress is impossible,’ he added.

The JUI chief said lack of confidence existed on both sides as Sharifs were talking in mild tones during negotiations inside the rooms while their tone in public gatherings was harsh, which drew concern from the government’s side.

Maulana also slammed a media group of attributing false statements to him and categorically denounced reports of threatening the government.

‘We have not threatened the government to quit the alliance. We are not in the coalition for positions and offices but for the cause of democracy. Our politics is for principles and we know how to maintain the norms and confidence within our ranks,’ Fazl-ur Rehman said.