Faisal suggests MMA join federal govt

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat told journalists on Monday parliamentary crises could be solved if the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) joined the government’s coalition.

“The MMA and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-QA) are coalition partners in Balochistan and I don’t see any problem if the alliance of six religious parties also chooses to be in a coalition government at the federal level,” Mr Hayat told journalists in his office at the Interior Ministry.

“I don’t think Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali made such an offer to the MMA, but I believe that all the treasury bench coalition partners would welcome the MMA.”

Pak-Afghan border: Mr Hayat said the Pak-Afghan border clashes would be settled through the tripartite commission. “The Survey of Pakistan is preparing a map of the Durand Line according to the original British demarcation. The commission consisting of US, Pakistan and Afghan military officials has been working on the issue,” he said.

Tribal operations: He said, “Pakistan is an ally in the US-led coalition and our civil military troops have been searching for Al Qaeda and Taliban militants in the tribal areas. The tribes welcome our troops, as the government has started funding health, education and human development projects in the area.” About Parachinar—a tribal area in the North West Frontier Province where civil forces have imposed curfew—the minister said, “The problem started when smugglers opened fire at border security troops. However, the situation is calmer now.”

Mr Hayat vowed action against any banned Jihadi outfits that planned to “harm Pakistan’s interests”. “The government will not allow banned Jihadi and sectarian organisations to continue operating under different names,” he said.

Pakistan and India: Mr Hayat said he appreciated civil organisations increasing the “people-to-people” contact between Pakistan and India. “These are the confidence building measures that may impress the two governments. —NNI

Home | National