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Shujaat to continue dialogue with Lal Masjid admin

* Use of force ‘last resort’, says Musharraf
* Meeting shown satellite pictures of armed men in Lal Masjid

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The government has mandated Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, president of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML), to continue talks with the administration of Lal Masjid to end the tense standoff in the capital peacefully.

The decision was made at a high-level meeting chaired by President Gen Pervez Musharraf. The meeting decided to allow more time for negotiations as an armed confrontation would put more pressure on the government, which is already being criticised for its handling of the judicial crisis, sources privy to the meeting told Daily Times.

“Talks should be the first priority and use of force the last resort,” Gen Musharraf was quoted as saying. Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao and Law Minister Wasi Zafar were of the view that given the track record of the Lal Masjid administration, it was unlikely that talks would succeed, said the sources.

However, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Shujaat opined that the government could not afford to “open another front” at this time in view of the judicial crisis. “Let not the black coat and burqa get together,” the sources quoted Shujaat as saying.

The meeting was also shown satellite pictures which showed armed men and wanted criminals roaming around in the Lal Masjid compound, said the sources.

Gen Musharraf insisted that the rule of law would be ensured in the federal capital and no one would be allowed to set up a “state within a state”.

“Freedom of expression is everyone’s right and the girl students of Jamia Hafsa can present their viewpoint, but the manner they have adopted in this regard is illegal and against the spirit of Islam. However, the government will settle this matter with prudence,” the president said.

He said that no deal was being made with the Pakistan People’s Party, but did brief the meeting on contacts with opposition parties. He also directed the PML and its coalition partners to “counter the opposition’s propaganda”, the sources said.

Later in the evening, the prime minister also chaired a meeting at PM’s House where the Jamia Hafsa issue was discussed.

The federal cabinet is to discuss the issue tomorrow (Wednesday) and finalise a strategy, Online reported.

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