PPP, MQM decide to forgive and forget

Zardari visits Nine Zero after 20 years; Altaf describes Qaim Ali Shah as ‘Sindh CM’, calls for foiling conspiracies; committee formed to discuss political changes, future line of action
KARACHI: The PPP and MQM leaders announced that they were willing to forgive and forget the ill-will of the past and start anew to foster peace and democracy in Sindh and Pakistan.

In a stirring address outside MQM headquarters Nine-Zero, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, after being accorded a rousing welcome earlier, promised a brighter future for the coming generations of the province and the nation. Prior to Zardari’s speech, Altaf Hussain, in his address, said that the two parties had started a new journey together.

Zardari, along with a high-powered delegation, visited Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) headquarters, Nine Zero, in Karachi, on Wednesday to hold talks with the latter’s leadership. As a result of the talks, the parties have reportedly formed an eight-member committee, four members from each side, to discuss the political changes and future line of action.

While the meeting between the top brass of Sindh’s two largest parties rekindled the chances of the formation of a coalition government in the province, there was no hint of it by either party’s leader after emerging from the meeting.

However, after the closed door meeting, Altaf, addressing the crowd by telephone, in an interesting insinuation, addressed Qaim Ali Shah, the PPP candidate for chief minister, as the “Chief Minister of Sindh” despite the fact that the election to this effect was to be held next week. This was a clear hint as to what direction the talks had taken.

Altaf and Zardari spoke for at least 15 minutes over the telephone in the closed-door meeting. The atmosphere after the two parties’ leaders emerged from the meeting was electric, which was accentuated after Zardari and Altaf both promised a stronger friendship between the two parties.

Altaf asked for a one-minute silence to honour the sacrifices of the late PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, after which he prayed for the departed soul. Altaf said that the two parties have started a new journey together, adding that in the past, conspiracies had been hatched to pit the MQM and the PPP against one another. However, he said, their coming together would foil all conspiracies.

He also gave special thanks to Rehman Malik for his efforts to bring the PPP and the MQM together. The urban-rural divide in Sindh, said Altaf, will come to an end for the prosperity of the province and the nation.

He also said that he had requested Zardari to allow the MQM to visit Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on April 4, the death anniversary of PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, to offer Fateha at his tomb, as well as the grave of Benazir Bhutto. Throughout the speech, Altaf referred to Zardari as “Asif Bhai.”

Zardari also presented Dr Farooq Sattar with a Sindhi cap, personally placing it on his head, after which the latter gifted an Ajrak to the PPP co-chairman. Zardari, speaking to the crowd once Altaf had finished his address, started off with the slogan ìJeay Altaf Hussain.î He said that the PPP had forgiven the MQM and that they wanted the MQM to forgive them for all that happened in the past. There is no bitterness with each other today, said the PPP co-chairman.

In addition, he said that the MQM and the PPP will also forgive those who have made the two fight in the past, adding that their revenge will be to change the system so that democracy and peace will prevail for the years to come.

Zardari said Benazir feared for Pakistan and that he was there at Nine-Zero to complete the late-chairpersonís mission of reconciliation and the triumph of democracy. He said that the onus was on the political forces of today, such as the MQM and the PPP to make sure that Pakistan was a prosperous nation for the sake of Bilawal, Bakhtawar, Asfia (Benazir and Zardariís children) and Hafsa (Altafís daughter).

Pakistan, said Zardari, finds itself in a crisis today, but, he added, the PPP-MQM friendship will take the country out of this crisis together. The speeches of the two were marked with a number of slogans by the supporters of both parties, including ìAsif-Altaf, Bhai Bhaiî ìJeay Altaf Hussainî and ìBhutto Zinda Haiî

Zardari left Nine-Zero at a quarter past midnight. Zardari arrived in Karachi at 8.20 p.m. on Wednesday, and was received at the Jinnah International Airport by Governor, Sindh, Dr Ishratul Ebad. Zardari first visited the Yasinabad graveyard (Shuhada Qabristan) to offer Fateha. His car was showered with rose petals all the way from Mukka Chowk up to Nine-Zero, where he finally arrived at about 10 p.m., amidst tight security, to a huge reception, by a large crowd carrying both PPP and MQM flags.

There was heavy security at the site and a brief jostle broke out between the PPP and MQM security teams as to who would accompany the leaders inside the premises where the meeting was to be held. The PPPís own security, which accompanied the partyís leadership, was called ëBilawal House Securityí and was wearing black shirts. The security team consisted of 40 men in total and headed by Bilal Shiekh.. The MQM security was wearing shirts reading ëHumara KarachiÖ MQM security.í

The media was not allowed inside. The reason behind this, as announced by MQMís Haider Abbas Rizvi and Faisal Sabzwari, was for ìsecurity reasons.î The high-powered PPP delegation, which was headed by Zardari, also included Dr Zulfikar Mirza, Murad Ali Shah, Qaim Ali Shah, Pir Mazharul Haq, Rehman Malik, N.D. Khan, Nabil Gabol and Fauzia Wahab. They met the MQM team headed by Dr Farooq Sattar and comprised Sheikh Liaquat Hussain, Abdul Rasheed, Anwar Alam, Babar Ghauri, Adil Siddiqui, Ashfaq Mangi and Sardar Ahmed.

The last high-level meeting between the two parties took place 20 years ago, back on November 21, 1988, after which the MQM and the PPP entered into a coalition government at the Centre. The government lasted only a little more than 11 months.

Previously, on February 28, right after the 2008 general elections, a PPP team headed by Qaim Ali Shah had visited Nine-Zero. However, that meeting bore no fruit, and, in fact, it compelled the PPP leadership to accuse the MQM of not according it (PPP) a proper welcome and not sending its top leaders to the meeting.

A Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid delegation that visited Nine Zero a few days later was accorded a rousing reception, more so than that given to the PPP. It also involved the MQMís top leadership, which further fuelled the misgivings between Sindhís two largest parties. The PML-Q, which was a coalition partner of the MQM in the previous government and suffered a heavy defeat in the elections, was represented by its President, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

However, on March 21, in an unexpected move, Zardari called the MQM chief Altaf Hussain in London and requested him to withdraw their prime ministerial candidate, Dr Farooq Sattar, in favour of the PPPís Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. The MQM obliged, maintaining that it did so unconditionally and that it did not want to be part of the coalition government in exchange.

While the move fuelled speculations that the formation of a government was on the cards as a result of the move, the MQMís consistent denial that it wanted a part in the ruling coalition coupled with the continuous reservations expressed by the PPPís allies, the PML-Nawaz and the ANP, clouded any such forecasts.

COAS briefs PM, coalition leaders on anti-terror policy

Military operation in Fata also discussed; Gilani says use of force alone no solution

ISLAMABAD: In a rare but highly welcome gesture, Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Wednesday gave a detailed briefing on security issues, including the war on terror and the situation in the tribal areas, to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, the heads of the allied parties of the ruling coalition and key members of the cabinet at the PM House.

After the briefing, Prime Minister Gilani, in consultation with coalition partners, decided to conduct a detailed evaluation of the situation, as presented by the Army, in order to come up with the policy guidelines to address the menace of terrorism and extremism, through a comprehensive strategy based on political engagement and economic development backed by credible military element. “If needed, the Army would be called for assistance,” the premier said in the meeting.

PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif, ANP chief Asfandyar Wali, JUI’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan envoy to Washington Mehmood Ali Durrani and Minister for Frontier Regions Najmuddin Khan were present in the meeting.

This is the second time in the recent political history that the GHQ briefed the political leadership on important security matters. Earlier, during the government of prime minister Muhammad Khan Junejo, the DG ISI had briefed the parliamentarians in camera on the Geneva Accord.

The COAS gave a detailed account of all the efforts made so far to control the situation in Fata and to bring normalcy to Swat. The prime minister thanked the Army chief for the presentation.

A few days ago, top US officials, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, had visited Pakistan and held meetings with all the top politicians of the country. Washington seemed particularly concerned about any lack of commitment or support to the US from the new Pakistani leadership in the ongoing war on terror. Washington also has reservations about the new government’s intention to hold a dialogue with the militants.

Sources told ‘The News’ that General Kayani, during his briefing, took the prime minister and the leadership of the ruling alliance into confidence on the ongoing military operation in the tribal areas. He also highlighted various matters with reference to cooperation with the US in the war on terror as well as the issue of interference from Afghanistan inside Pakistan areas.

The sources said the political leadership had earlier held consultation on initiating the dialogue process in the tribal areas. It was agreed that the ANP leadership could play an effective role on this count. “The ANP leadership will hold talks with the tribal dignitaries,” the sources added.

The prime minister said the country’s integrity and security was above all other issues. “Terrorism is a serious issue. But the use of force alone is not the solution. We will have to consider other aspects too to curb this menace.”

The sources said it seemed that with the new government in place, the policy on the war against terror was undergoing some basic course correction. Earlier, in the day, the Foreign Office spokesman declined to comment on what role President Musharraf would play in shaping the new policy.

Cabinet takes up judges’ issue, FCR

ISLAMABAD, March 31: The federal cabinet, in its first meeting held immediately after its swearing-in on Monday, decided to form two committees to prepare recommendations for reinstatement of judges and repeal of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR).

The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.

Briefing newsmen at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat after the meeting, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rahman said the two committees would be headed by the minister for law and justice and its members would be nominated by the heads of coalition parties.

In reply to a question about Pemra, Ms Rahman said her ministry was preparing a draft proposal to be submitted to the law division to revoke the amendments made to the Pemra Ordinance on Nov 3, 2007.

She said the cabinet approved necessary amendments to be made in labour laws to incorporate the government’s decision of fixing Rs6,000 per month as the minimum wage of a labourer or worker.

She said the PPP-led coalition government was firmly committed to implementing the 7the and 8th wage board awards for press workers and working journalists and it had decided to set up a tripartite commission comprising representatives of the PFUJ, APNS and the ministry of information to resolve the matter.

In reply to a question, the minister said the information ministry had started spade work to amend the Access to Information law.

She said the cabinet had decided to meet every fortnight to take up summaries of various ministries to implement the 100-day programme on fast track and, if necessary, such meetings might be held twice a week.

The information minister quoted the prime minister as telling the cabinet members that despite serious challenges and limited resources, the government would try its best to come up to the expectations of the nation.

The cabinet, she said, welcomed the support price of wheat fixed at Rs625 per 40kg and expressed the resolve that no shortage of wheat and flour would be allowed to be created by vested interests in future.

The prime minister said that although the cabinet had the responsibility to prepare policies and work out the course for implementation, the government would like to take parliament into confidence on all important issues to ensure transparency and consensus on all issues.

Consensus, the prime minister said, was always helpful in the successful implementation of policies.

The prime minister directed all ministers to evaluate projects of their ministries and prepare short-term and long-term plans in accordance with the manifestos of the coalition government.

Ms Rahman said that the cabinet reiterated that austerity and transparency should be the guiding parameters while preparing plans and specifically during implementation of these plans.

The information minister quoted Mr Gilani as telling the cabinet that the government would take executive action to formally ask the UN to probe into the assassination of Ms Benazir Bhutto.

When asked if the cabinet discussed a constitutional package to repeal the controversial Article 58(2)b of the Constitution or impeach the president, Ms Rahman said since it was the first meeting, no such matters came under discussion.

When asked whether the austerity drive started with a 40 per cent cut in the PM House expenditures would trickle down to other ministries, the president house and provincial governments, the minister said: “We have started it by setting our own example and hopefully it will be followed by others.”

The United States has escalated its unilateral strikes in Pakistan

The United States has escalated its unilateral strikes against al-Qaeda members and fighters operating in Pakistan’s tribal areas, partly because of anxieties that the country’s new leaders will insist on scaling back military operations in that country, according to U.S. officials.

Over the past two months, U.S.-controlled Predator aircraft are known to have struck at least three sites used by al-Qaeda operatives.

The moves followed a tacit understanding with Musharraf and Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Kiyani that allows U.S. strikes on foreign fighters operating in Pakistan, but not against the Pakistani Taliban, the officials said.

About 45 Arab, Afghan and other foreign fighters have been killed in the attacks, all near the Afghan border, U.S. and Pakistani officials said.

The goal was partly to jar loose information on senior al-Qaeda leaders, including Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants, by forcing them to move in ways that U.S. intelligence analysts can detect. Local sources are providing better information to guide the strikes, the officials said.

A senior U.S. official called it a “shake the tree” strategy. It has not been without controversy, others said. Some military officers have privately cautioned that airstrikes alone — without more U.S. special forces soldiers on the ground in the region — are unlikely to net the top al-Qaeda leaders.

The campaign is not specifically designed to capture bin Laden before Bush leaves office, administration officials said. “It’s not a blitz to close this chapter,” said a senior official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of ongoing operations. “If we find the leadership, then we’ll go after it. But nothing can be done to put al-Qaeda away in the next nine or 10 months. In the long haul, it’s an issue that extends beyond this administration.”

Musharraf, who controls the country’s military forces, has long approved U.S. military strikes on his own. But senior officials in Pakistan’s leading parties are now warning that such unilateral attacks — including the Predator strikes launched from bases near Islamabad and Jacobabad in Pakistan — could be curtailed.

“We have always said that as for strikes, that is for Pakistani forces to do and for the Pakistani government to decide, We do not envision a situation in which foreigners will enter Pakistan and chase targets,” said Farhatullah Babar, a top spokesman for the Pakistan People’s Party, whose leader Yousaf Raza Gillani is the new prime minister. “This war on terror is our war.”

Leaders of Gillani’s party say they are interested in starting talks with local Taliban leaders and giving a political voice to the millions who live in Pakistan’s tribal areas. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard A. Boucher heard the message directly from tribal elders in the village of Landi Kotal in the Khyber area yesterday.

“We told the visiting U.S. guests that the traditional jirga [tribal decision-making] system should be made effective to eliminate the causes of militancy and other problems from the tribal areas,” said Malik Darya Khan, an elder.

“We also told them that we have some disgruntled brothers” — an indirect reference to local Taliban and militants — who should be pulled into the mainstream through negotiations and dialogue, he said.

“The tribal turmoil can be resolved only through negotiations, not with military operations,” Khan added. But he and others have said little specifically about how the new government should cope with foreign fighters, causing the Bush administration to engage in heavy lobbying on that issue.

President Bush called Gillani on Tuesday, for example, to stress the importance of the U.S.-Pakistani alliance and to emphasize that “fighting extremists is in everyone’s interest,” a White House spokesman said.