They also resolved that they would block the resignations of Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s lawmakers.
The moves came 24 hours after MQM lawmakers in the National Assembly, the Senate and the Sindh Assembly submitted their resignations in protest against the paramilitary Rangers-led targeted operation in Karachi.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired the meeting of the parliamentary leaders, which was held in the National Assembly. Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah, JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, federal ministers and heads of other political parties also took part in the meeting.
Participants agreed to bring back the MQM lawmakers in parliament and address their reservations about the Karachi operation while accepting their rational demands.
According to sources, PM Nawaz told the participants that the MQM’s delegation had presented a list of demands to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in its earlier meeting. The government, however, rejected the demands following consultations with other stakeholders in the city.
By popular choice the task of winning over the MQM legislators fell to JUI-F chief, who now must contact the MQM leadership, listen to their demands and convince them to return to parliament. It was agreed that Fazl would apprise the parliamentary leaders’ meeting in the coming week once he gains access to the aggrieved party’s list of demands regarding the Karachi operation.
Talking to media after the meeting, Fazlur Rehman said he had summoned a team of legal experts to advise him about the status of the MQM lawmakers’ resignations. “If the legal team tells me there is a possibility of not accepting the MQM lawmakers’ resignations then I will contact the MQM leadership,” he said.
However, in the evening Maulana Fazlur Rehman chaired his party’s meeting after which the JUI-F spokesperson said the party chief had constituted a three-member committee to assist him in negotiations with the MQM.
The JUI-F chief is expected to contact the MQM leadership on Friday (today) and if they are available in Islamabad he will hold the first round of talks.
“However, if the MQM demanded formal talks then Fazlur Rehman along with his team – comprising Akram Durrani, Advocate Kamran Murtaza and Amir Zaman – would visit the MQM headquarters in Karachi,” he said.
‘Fresh demands’
It is possible that the MQM may demand constitution of a parliamentary oversight committee with its members in it to review the Karachi operation.
The party also wants the authorities to allow its workers to continue their work as sector and unit in-charges and also permit them to collect hides in the upcoming season of Eidul Azha. In Ramazan, Sindh Rangers had effectively stopped the MQM from collecting Fitra.
