950830

Govt-MQM talks end

Next round on

Sept 3 to be

'substantive'

KARACHI: Talks between the government and the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM) for restoring peace and tranquility in Karachi concluded in Sindh governor house here on Wednesday evening and will be resumed again on September 3, at the same venue at which substantive dialogue will be held on the issues raised by both sides in their respective charter of demands.

During the two hours and 45 minutes talks which were in continuation of the earlier round held on Tuesday, leaders of both the government's team led by Federal Law and Justice Minister Prof N.D. Khan and MQM team led by Ajmal Dehlavi told newsmen that they discussed matters concerning restoration of peace in Karachi.

Prof N.D. Khan said that there has been constructive progress in today's talks. He was hopeful that in future these negotiations will prove fruitful in restoring peace and tranquility in Karachi.

He disclosed that at Wednesday's session there was also preliminary discussion on the 18-points charter of demands of the MQM and the 21-points demands of the government. The discussion centred on short-listing these demands, he added.

Dehlavi stressed that the Karachiites have lot of expectations on these talks for the restoration of peace in their city as well as the acceptance of the 18-points charter of demands of the MQM.

He felt there was need to reduce the differences between the two sides and was of the view that measures should be taken for restoring peace in the urban areas of Sindh province.

"We expect that if the government accepts our suggestion in this connection peace will be restored in the urban areas of the province," he observed.

Prof N.D. Khan while replying a question said that option remains to have a political and demorcatic settlement of the issues. He also referred to in this regard of the proposals made by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Tuesday, in which one possibility pertained to holding of local bodies elections in Karachi on certain conditions.

The minister said government's priority in the talks was ensuring security of citizens and peace in the city.

He said the government's team stressed on the cooperation of the MQM in restoring peace in Karachi as they (MQM) have mandate of the people of this city. There was no licence for any one for killing the people, he added.

While reviewing the situation in Karachi, he said it was pointed out by him that the MQM must disassociate itself from terrorists and condemn acts of terrorism and violence.

"When talks between the government and the MQM are progressing slowly why is the MQM resorting to giving calls for strike in the city. There should be no strike calls. In a political society no party will support violent strikes. For confidence building some steps have to be taken to restore law and order," he stressed.

N D Khan was off the view that other political parties including Jamiat Ulema Pakistan, Jamaat-e-Islami and some groups also have a role to play in Karachi as it was a multilingual city.

He said he also sought cooperation of the MQM in countering propaganda against Pakistan in various countries on question of human rights in implementation of Karachi package of Rs 121 billion and promoting non-ethnic politics in the city.

"We also sought their cooperation in checking malicious reports in the world press against Pakistan, on Kashmir issue and in attracting foreign investment to Karachi," he added.