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Govt, MQM ready to reconcile: Fazl

Islamabad - "The premier and the JUI-F chief agreed that MQM's politics is unpredictable and at any time they can return to the assemblies," a PM House official said.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss Muttahida Qaumi Movement's demands for withdrawal of resignations by its lawmakers.
The JUI-F chief, who has been tasked to defuse the crisis created by the resignations, apprised the premier of details of his talks he held with senior MQM leaders on Tuesday at the party's headquarters, Nine Zero, in Karachi.
Later, talking to the media Fazl said that the government and the MQM, were ready to reconcile. The prime minister agreed to meet an MQM delegation to hear their grievance.
"The premier and the JUI-F chief agreed that MQM's politics is unpredictable and at any time they can return to the assemblies," a PM House official said.
The second round of talks between the government, the MQM and Fazl, which was scheduled to be held in Islamabad has, however, been deferred on MQM's request in the wake of attack on its lawmaker Rashid Godil in Karachi on Tuesday. The prime minister appreciated the role of the JUI-F chief for promoting political harmony, stability and reconciliation.
"The next round of talks will be attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and the MQM delegation will meet the premier after that," the official said.
Fazl told reporters that the MQM chief Altaf Hussain to whom he spoke on telephone during visit to NineZero on Tuesday reiterated that he was not opposed to Karachi operation but wanted transparency and impartiality.
He said there is agreement in principle on MQM's demand for setting up monitoring mechanism for the operation. However, its details have to be carefully worked out. The government has reaffirmed resolve to continue the Karachi operation while addressing MQM's reservations including claim of extrajudicial killings and disappearance of its activists.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif plans to visit Karachi on Thursday.
news@khaleejtimes.com