950803

Govt softens on nomenclature issue

Khan insists on

clarifications

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Law and Justice N.D. Khan, while showing the government's readiness for resuming talks with liberal approach and unorthodox mind, has asked Altaf Group to come out with clarifications.

Talking to the press the head of the government's negotiating team, Khan said, "we are ready to call Altaf Group with any name they propose but they should give us the clarifications, which are very vital to the state of Pakistan". However, the government is liberal and flexible to all the issues on agenda, he added.

While expressing government's sincerity for successful conclusion of the talks, Khan said, "if they have objection on being called Altaf Group, we are prepared to give a fresh look to their reservation on this issue." Though this issue did not appear as a point of deadlock, he added.

"In the subcontinent and elsewhere in the world parties are mentioned with the names of their leaders", he added.

Calling the halt in government-Altaf Group talks a temporary suspension, he said, the date, place and the agenda for the fifth round of talks on July 31, was agreed with mutual consultation. Altaf Group, did not inform the government of its inability to attend the talks.

Khan rejected the impression that the government is responsible for the suspension of talks. The government is warmly desirous to hold talks. "We have even asked them to give us fresh date, time and place, for resuming talks. There is no matter of ego on part of the government." Let them give time and place, he added.

Now the onus to stall or start the talks lies on Altaf Group, he pointed out.

Khan said, however, the government would never compromise on issues vital to the state of Pakistan. Referring to the interview of Altaf Hussain published in India Today, he said, "we seek clarification from Altaf Group whether they consider two-nation theory obsolete and confederation, with India viable, which is tantamount to the mockery of raison'd etre of Pakistan."

Khan said, the talks are never held in vacuum. Nowhere in the negotiations had been, a one way process. The talks should be based on the principle of give and take. Referring to Altaf Group's, attitude in this regard, he said, for them talks mean only take without giving anything.

"The government is ready to take nine steps ahead but they have to come one step also. It is for the first time that the government is ready to give more in exchange for little."

He said, if Altaf Group is serious in resuming talks, it can contact any time two of the government team members, who are in Karachi.

Alluding to the threats of strikes, Khan said, there are certain ethics and manners to hold talks. Deadlocks do appear in negotiations but they are never resolved by giving threats. The government never put the restrictions of time or space. The strikes are not in the interests of people of Karachi. It deprives the 60 percent daily wagers of their dependents bread and obstructs one million school kids from attending classes.-APP