Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Sunday that the government was in contact with all the opposition parties but it would not strike any deal. He said that he government would not withdraw presidential reference filed against 'suspended' Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
Shaukat Aziz was speaking at a news conference after hosting Central Working Committee meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League here at Prime Minister House.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and President PML Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain co-chaired the 'crucial' meeting to discuss issues regarding the prevailing judicial crisis, political atmosphere and outcome of the negotiations so far being held with the Lal Masjid administration.
"We are in touch with all the opposition parties and it is part of a democratic system. All of us have reiterated today that there would be no deal. The ruling coalition will contest coming general elections from one platform," he said in reply to a question regarding speculations of government's deal with the Pakistan Peoples Party.
PML head Shujaat Hussain, Secretary General Syed Mushahid Hussain and State Minister for Information Tariq Azeem were also present on the occasion.
When asked about backdoor negotiations between the government and PML-N, the Prime Minister remarked that the government was engaged with every opposition party. "But our deal would be with the people of our country only," he replied.
Briefing about the PML CWC meeting, the Prime Minister said they have given full mandate to Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to hold negotiations with Lal Masjid top leadership.
"We want to resolve the issue amicably and there has been a positive development," he added. However, he made it clear that the writ of the government would never be compromised. Law enforcement agencies have taken prompt action against those seminary students who threatened shopkeepers in Bhara Kahu the other day, he maintained.
Prime Minister was of the view that the government wanted a peaceful settlement of the Jamia Hafsa controversy where more than 3000 female students were enrolled.
Speaking on the occasion, Shujaat Hussain said his negotiations with the Lal Masjid administration were moving positively.
To another query, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said PML lawyer wing briefed the meeting on filing of the presidential reference against the 'non-functional' Chief Justice.
He also ruled out the possibility of withdrawal of Presidential reference. Commenting on countrywide protests against Presidential reference, Shaukat Aziz said the government would not stop anybody from peaceful demonstrations.
Replying to another question, Aziz said the Central Working Committee of Pakistan Muslim League has not discussed the issue of re-election of President General Pervez Musharraf.
Similarly, he said they did not take up the issue of next candidate for the Prime Minister's slot as well. Earlier, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also briefed the Central Working Committee meeting about his recent meetings with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Fradkov and interaction with leaders during Saarc Summit in New Delhi.
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