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MMA says talks with PML-Q have failed

Pakistan's hardline Islamic alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal on Monday said talks with pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam) over government formation have failed.

An MMA press release said the talks fell through following President Pervez Musharraf's refusal to give in to their demand of scrapping extension of his presidential term by five years and the constitutional amendments giving him sweeping powers.

"We tried our best until last minute to reach an agreement with PML-Q on our demand to formally restore the Constitution in its original form. But regrettably, the talks ended in a failure", the MMA statement said.

The MMA has now decided to field one of its top leaders -- Maulana Fazlur Rehman -- for the prime minister's post.

The party would also contest the elections to the speaker and deputy speaker's posts in the national assembly.

It remains to be seen whether the MMM would now consider a tie-up with the 15-party Alliance for Restoration of Democracy to form the government.

The ARD has about 155 members in the 335-member House.

PTI

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