Government contacting Nawaz, says Ijaz

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq has revealed government contacts with exiled Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leaders Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif at all levels which are same in nature being established with Benazir Bhutto.
Addressing a press conference here on the conclusion of combined marriages on Tuesday, he said, "Yes there are contacts between the government, Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif at all levels". The contacts with PML-N are not only abroad but also in the country, he explained.
The minister feared if the peaceful dialogues on Lal mosque are not delivers goods then any sort of operation would be carried out in coming weeks. Commenting over deal speculations by Benazir Bhutto, he said she wants to trap President General Pervez Musharraf as she trapped Mian Nawaz Sharif in the name of charter of democracy.
In fact Ms Bhutto has been flattering President Musharraf since his take over from 1999 and she was the first lady who congratulated President Musharraf on sacking Nawaz Sharif government. Later, she trapped Nawaz Sharif then making efforts to trap President Musharraf to doff uniform for contesting presidential elections for next term.
"There is no indication from the sitting government on holding dialogues with Ms Bhutto at any level", he maintained. Ijazul Haq said the present government would not make election alliance with PPP in the forthcoming general elections, adding, "Self created exile is an abuse to politician".
He said President Musharraf would have to decide the fate of his uniform. Replying to a question, he said the government was showing extreme patience on Lal mosque matter just to safe lives of innocent girls even the government tolerated opposition criticism on writ of the government.
The minister criticised promotion of Hindu traditions in marriage ceremonies; he said that people could not prevent from such traditions despite achieving Pakistan. The Mukhtar A Sheikh welfare trust organised combined marriage ceremony of 27 couples at Multan arts council here on Tuesday.
Earlier, the Punjab Auqaf Department announced arranging combined marriage of 27 couples but the department remained fail in fulfilling his commitments. Later, the trust incurred the whole expenditures.
Speaking on the occasion the minister paid great tribute to Punjab governor Khalid Maqbook for introducing combined marriages. The welfare trust chairman Begum Farukh Mukhtar, city district Nazim Mian Faisal Mukhtar, DCO Iftikhar Babar also spoke on the occasion. The welfare trust gifted crockery worth Rs 10,000 to each couple besides giving cash.