Fazl discusses MQM resignations issue with PM's Special Assistant for Law

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman met with the Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Law, Ashtar Ausaf, on Saturday to discuss the issue of Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) resignations from the National Assembly.

It was decided during the meeting that until the notifications are not issued, the resignation of each MQM MNA can be taken back.

The meeting concluded that negotiations should therefore begin with MQM MNAs before any notifications are issued.

Agreement on MQM’s demand for Rangers operation monitoring committee: sources

According to sources, the MQM’s longstanding demand to setup a monitoring committee for the Rangers operation in Karachi was also agreed upon during the meeting.

Sources said the decision was taken so that the move would help address the MQM’s legitimate concerns.

Furthermore, the formation of such a committee would facilitate investigations into alleged illegal detention and extrajudicial killings of MQM workers.

Following the resignations submitted by the MQM MNAs a few days ago, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah requested him to convince MQM lawmakers into withdrawing their resignations.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of leaders of parliamentary political parties with the prime minister, the JUI-F chief said that political leaders who attended the meeting expressed concern over the resignation of MQM lawmakers and the possibility of a resulting political crisis in the country.

He said that the prime minister and opposition leader requested him to contact MQM chief Altaf Hussain and the party leadership so that they withdraw their resignations and return to Parliament.