Fazal says he’s ready to arbitrate Nawaz-Zardari talks

Naimat Khan

KARACHI: Chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Fazlu Rehman has said that for removing ‘differences between former President Asif Ali Zardari and former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif over some political and constitutional matters he is ready to arbitrate talks between the two leaders.

He expressed these views while talking to media persons at Karachi’s Jinnah International airport before he headed for a meeting for revival of the Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA) here at the residence of late chief of defunct MMA, Shah Ahmed Noorani.

Rehman requested the government to clarify the constitutional position of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). He further said the government should take a decision which satisfies the people of the tribal areas. “Issues should be solved through negotiations and not through sit-ins. The parliament should not always be pressurized.”

The JUI-F chief expressed support for the FATA supreme council and said the body must be consulted by the prime minister and parliament for the merger of the region with KP.

“Instead of forcibly merging FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, this issue should be resolved amicably through democratic process and way,” he said, warning that any hast in merged and by passing the constitution would be detrimental.

“If some parties and groups have supported the mergers there is a majority of others who have favored the creation of new province,” the JUI-F Chief said.

“I tell those running the campaign for merger to avoid using force,” he said.

The JUI-F chief said the tribal elders should be taken into confidence as they are the people who will be affected by the decision. “Prime Minister should take all into confidence,” he further said.

It’s pertinent to mention that the JUI-F chief has arrived into Karachi for an important meeting regarding the revival of the MMA. Regarding the revival of MMA has said that if revived it will contest elections under one name, one symbol and one manifesto.