ISLAMABAD: Brushing aside the media reports reading a power-sharing formula being discussed between the former coalition partners, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah Sunday said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would not include Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in the Sindh government.
He said that PPP was a democratic party and it would be a difficult decision for its leadership to include MQM in the government until Altaf Hussain, the MQM Chief, takes his words back about inviting army's interference in politics, said a press release issued here.
The MQM chief has appealed more than once in the recent past to the army top brass to take notice of what he called “state oppression” against workers of his party and innocent people in Karachi and act to preserve national solidarity and integrity.
Shah said that Altaf Hussain's statement was unconstitutional and if MQM wanted to join the Sindh government, he (Altaf) had to take his statement back, but it seemed impossible.
On Saturday, sources told DawnNews that not only is the MQM in talks to join the government in Sindh but that a decision to assign the ministries of health, commerce and industries, religious affairs, local government and information technology to the party is on the cards.
Sources also said that an MQM delegation is expected to meet Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad in a day or two, while a list of party members likely to be made ministers has been sent to party chief Altaf Hussain.
The PPP currently enjoys simple majority in the Sindh Assembly and neither the government at the centre, nor in Sindh is in any dire need of support from another party.
Saturday’s development followed recent statements from PPP leaders Manzoor Wassan and Rehman Malik on MQM’s likely inclusion in the provincial cabinet.
To a query regarding Hazara province, Khursheed Shah said that it would be decided at the time of presenting of resolution in the National Assembly.