The second round of talks between Pakistan’s ruling and Opposition parties to reach an agreement on the political future of President Pervez Musharraf and his controversial constitutional amendments have failed after the military ruler refused to quit as Chief of Army. The talks held between the ruling Pakistan Muslim league-Q (PML-Q) and the Islamist Alliance Muthahida Majlis Amal (MMA) failed to narrow differences as the Supreme Council of the MMA in its meeting on Wednesday reiterated its demand that Musharraf quit as army chief and denounced constitutional amendments empowering him to dismiss Parliament as illegal. The failure to work out an understanding was viewed as significant as the PML-Q, backed by Musharraf held talks with only MMA ignoring the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-(N), of exiled former PMs Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. The PML-Q and MMA talks ended in a deadlock after MMA decided that it would not support the Legal Framework Order, which incorporated Musharraf’s amendments. A resolution passed also said that the six-party alliance would not support Musharraf unless he quit as army chief. As the deadlock with the Opposition persisted, Musharraf met PML-Q legislators to drum up support. He declined to quit as chief of army saying it was important for him and the country. (PTI)
