KARACHI: Amid speculation and media reports, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Wednesday confirmed its contact with the Pakistan Peoples Party for forging a coalition in Sindh but the two parties did not say a word as to what prompted them to engage in a dialogue process for having a fresh alliance, which is seen to be not that necessary for the ruling party.
Senior MQM leaders confirmed the reports about recent meetings between the two parties but said it was part of consideration for a future alliance to establish a consistent democratic environment.
“It’s third such contact during the past 10 months since the PPP government’s formation in Sindh after the May 11 general elections,” said Faisal Ali Subzwari, the leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly. “Yes, I can confirm that there have been a series of fresh meetings on this particular agenda —MQM-PPP alliance in the Sindh government. There is nothing new as such contacts were also made in the past.”
He was referring to the contacts made between the leadership of the two parties as well as PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and MQM chief Altaf Hussain soon after the May 11, 2013 elections.
“So you can say it’s a third such contact between the two sides after the May 11 elections. There is nothing concrete to share at this point as both sides are looking into several aspects before any conclusion,” added Mr Subzwari.
A recent meeting between Mr Zardari and Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and some MQM leaders triggered speculation of a possible MQM-PPP alliance in Sindh. Later, a statement of Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon in which he hinted that the PPP was ready to embrace the MQM strengthened the rumours that both parties were making headway in their talks.
However, when the two parties were discussing modalities for their future partnership, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah of the PPP reacted strongly to a statement by Mr Hussain in which he had asked the armed forces to ignore any order of sending troops to Syria.
“The PPP is a democratic party whereas the MQM leadership talks about an army takeover. Therefore, it will be difficult for our leaders to include the MQM in the Sindh government,” he had said. However, the PPP leadership denied any deadlock in the dialogue.
“We don’t want them [the MQM] to strengthen the government, we want them to strengthen democracy,” said Waqar Mehdi, a special assistant to the Sindh chief minister. “The PPP has a very clear policy of reconciliation. So it’s the spirit behind the recent contact with the MQM.”
He agreed with Mr Subzwari that the thought process was continuing on both sides and it would lead to some better results. But he sounded quite hopeful of the conclusion of the recent contact.
“Our intentions are very clear,” said Mr Mehdi. “We want the MQM as a partner in the Sindh government to strengthen democracy, development in the province and most importantly harmony and peace in Karachi. One can’t say with authority but I hope that the MQM wants the same this time.”