KARACHI: After a round of talks between the PPP led government and the MQM, including input from the President, it seems the MQM is poised to rejoin the government before the end of the Holy month, so says Local Government minister, Agha Siraj Durrani.
Speaking at an iftar function on Friday, Durrani said that while the MQM had tendered their resignations from their posts in the government, however the government had yet to accept them. This means that the return road has been kept open by the PPP for the MQM.
However, the road may be more tedious than in previous times after the government restored the commissionerate system in Sindh, a bone of contention between PPP and the MQM in the past month.
Durrani said that the commissionerate system was part of an old law, and old laws are subject to amendments. He further said that if any allies had any reservations against the commissionerate system, the government was willing to sit and resolve differences via dialogue.
On the flip side, MQM’s Raza Haroon said that both the MQM and the PPP were major political parties and both of them needed to work together for the betterment of the people. He was of the view that having a difference of opinion between the two parties was a positive sign for the people as their interests would be safeguarded during any dialogue.
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@Hairaan: Very valid point/question. The definition of secular for me is all relative and comparative. Just like in any democracy one has to choose lesser of the evils if good candidates are not there. Similarly in Pakistani politics there are very few parties which are not rightwing or religious parties. ANP, MQM and PPP are the only parties which are not extreme rightwing and comparatively liberal in their social outlook. There are no other choices for a liberal Pakistani, I am sorry to say. That is why only the leaders of these parties are targeted by the terrorists and not other parties. Our parents or grandparents may have opted for Pakistan or were forced to leave India after the creation of Pakistan. In either case a large majority of today’s Pakistanis were born in Pakistan and not India. They did not choose the option to move in or out of India. So, the argument that they cannot be secular or liberal does not carry much weight. Thanks for the civilized dialogue. Hope and pray that the bloodbath in Karachi stops whatever it takes. No sooner did the talks start, the bloodletting eased! Thanks and regards, Mirza
Looks more like the 'adults' (whatever that means) had a good time as Karachi burned, now they're back to business, wonder when these 'adults' will act like 'children' again, soon perhaps.
We have been regarded as political unstable country and why shouldn't be because parties like MQM will always hinder the progress of the country. This is second time, only in this year, they have threatened PPPs government. I don't know their hidden agenda but for God sake let this government complete its tenure otherwise Pakistan will be in another turmoil.
@Mirza: May we have your definition of Secular Parties for the information of general public. If mohajirs wanted a secular state, then why did they migrate from India in the first place?
Height of Noora Kushti.
As expected!!!!
Looks like two adults are finally speaking up for the betterment of the people. Both MQM and PPP are popular secular parties and a natural allay against the rightwing parties. Thanks for talking and being flexible again.