Hamid Raza, Chaudhry Shujaat demand change in government team

ISLAMABAD: Sunni Ithehad Council leader Haid Raza and PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain have demanded a change in the government team formed to hold talks with the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and its coalition partners.

Speaking to media, Chaudhry Shujaat said negotiations could not be held with Khawaja Saad Rafique as he had been nominated in the Model Town tragedy FIR. “Talks will begin and end with the Model Town tragedy,” Shujaat added.

Earlier, PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri said he would not be holding direct talks instead his nominated committee would negotiate with the team formed by the government. Qadri announced that the PAT committee would comprise Sardar Asif Ahmed Ali, Ghullam Ahmed Khar and Khurram Nawaz Gandapur.

The PAT chief further said he did not consider the Pakistan Army, US or UK as a third umpire, adding that the armed forces remained neutral and only issued advice in deteriorating conditions.

A four member government team comprising Khawaja Saad Rafique, Abdul Qadir Baloch, Haider Abbas Rizvi and Ijaz-ul-Haq met with PAT leaders.

Speaking to the media, PAT leader Khurram Nawaz Gandapur said they believed in dialogue but it should be result oriented. He added that talks would resume with the government team when the PAT is joined by its coalition partners.

Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said they had come to the site of the PAT sit-in with honest intentions and he was hopeful that differences would be eliminated through dialogue.

Abdul Qadir Baloch said the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was not an option.