Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) estranged ally, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in a late night meeting decided to come back to the fold if the Prime Minister Gilani took concrete steps to remove its reservations, CNewsworld reported.
MQM rejoins coalition govt, rejects comeback to Cabinet
MQM rejoins coalition govt, rejects comeback to Cabinet Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who visited Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) headquarters ‘Nine Zero’ in Karachi for the first time to woo back erstwhile coalition partners, said that MQM reservations over petroleum prices and RGST have been addressed. The PM said that he reversed POL prices to its earlier rates and delayed RGST bill to get consensus as per wishes of MQM chief. He asked all political forces including MQM leader Altaf Hussain to come forward and jointly help introduce an accountability bill to remove allegations of corruption. The PM said that problems of MQM ministers in Sindh government would be removed. He invited the MQM ministers to rejoin coalition government.
MQM leader Raza Haroon lauded PM Gilani’s efforts to address the problems of masses by reducing POL prices. MQM leader announces to return to government benches but denied returning to Federal Cabinet.
Earlier, PM Gilani was accorded a warm welcome upon his arrival at the ‘Nine Zero’. Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malilk, CM Sindh Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Sindh Ishratul Abad accompanied the premier to the MQM headquarters.
The prime minister was welcomed by the MQM leaders Babar Khan Ghouri, Raza Haroon and other Rabita Committee members. Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Sindh CM Qaim Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Ishrat-ul-Ebad accompanied the premier.
Earlier, the PM met twice with Sindh Governor Ishrat-ul-Ebad within hours today and also had a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari. Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Sindh CM Qaim Ali shah associated the premier during meetings. The Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) estranged ally, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in a late night meeting decided to come back to the fold if the Prime Minister Gilani took concrete steps to remove its reservations. MQM in its Coordination Committee’s joint meeting discussed the strategy in view of the PM’s expected visit to Nine Zero Friday. It was decided to rejoin the coalition government and would not let the premier return empty handed.
It is worthy to note that the PPP-led coalition lost its parliamentary majority after the separation of the Muttahida and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) from it.
After announcing the withdrawal of the increase in the petroleum prices, the PPP government is hoping that the MQM will review its decision of sitting on the opposition benches. Gilani was expected to make some important announcements at the MQM headquarters, sources said.
The MQM has 25 seats in the National Assembly and six seats in the Senate. The PM will achieve an important milestone if he succeeds to win back the party’s support. The PPP has already geared up its efforts to save its government at the Centre as Interior Minister Rehman Malik has been in touch with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan to remove the MQM’s reservations.
The sources said that Malik had been making calls to Altaf Hussain from the Governor House, but all such contacts were being kept secret.
The two-member committee comprising Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Rehman Malik constituted by President Asif Ali Zardari to woo the MQM is keeping the president informed about the latest developments.
High level meetings took place in Karachi on Friday to discuss the current political situation and the government’s strategy to deal with it, ahead of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s meeting with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders.
MQM in its Coordination Committee’s joint meeting, discussed the strategy in view of the PM’s expected visit to Nine Zero Friday. It was decided to rejoin the coalition government and would not let the premier return empty handed.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani arrived in the city on Thursday night and was due to visit the MQM’s headquarters Nine-Zero today in a bid to save his crumbling government.
The PPP-led coalition lost its parliamentary majority after the separation of the Muttahida and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) from it.
After announcing the withdrawal of the increase in the petroleum prices, the PPP government is hoping that the MQM will review its decision of sitting on the opposition benches.
Gilani was expected to make some important announcements at the MQM headquarters, sources said.
The MQM has 25 seats in the National Assembly and six seats in the Senate. The PM will achieve an important milestone if he succeeds to win back the party’s support.
The PPP has already geared up its efforts to save its government at the Centre as Interior Minister Rehman Malik has been in touch with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan to remove the MQM’s reservations.
The sources said that Malik had been making calls to Altaf Hussain from the Governor House, but all such contacts were being kept secret.
The two-member committee comprising Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Rehman Malik constituted by President Asif Ali Zardari to woo the MQM is keeping the president informed about the latest developments
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