DECISIVE ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN MQM AND THE PML STARTED IN LONDON ON FRIDAY WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW

London-17 April 1998

The decisive round of talks between the MQM and the PML started in London on Friday evening at 1700 GMT. The MQM negotiating team comprised of Senator Aftab Ahmed Shaikh, Senator Nasreen Jalil, Federal Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiquee, Provincial Ministers Dr Farooq Sattar, Shoaib Bukhari Advocate and Qazi Khalid Ali Advocate. MQM Founder and Leader Mr. Altaf Hussain was also present during the meeting. The Government Team included Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ch. Nisar Ali Khan and Chief Minister of Sindh, Liaquat Ali Jatoi.

At about 2030 GMT the members of MQM and PML briefed the press on the second round of talks. The talks will resume on Saturday morning.