Share this article
Print this page
Email a friend
- RSS
- Today's Paper
- Subscribe
- beta 2.0
High: 33°C
Low: 27°C
Alerts
MQM submits formal application to quit coalition
Babar Ghauri says MQM has no intentions to remove Gilani or to resort to political blackmailing.
MQM leader Babar Ghauri asserted that MQM does not have the intentions to remove Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani nor does it want to resort to political blackmailing.
KARACHI:
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Monday formally quit the coalition by submitting an application in the National Assembly to sit on the opposition benches. Senator Tahir Mashadi of the MQM also submitted an application to the Senate Chairman for the allotment of opposition benches .
Talking to Express News, MQM leader Babar Ghauri asserted that MQM does not have the intentions to remove Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani nor does it want to resort to political blackmailing.
Updated from print edition (below)
MQM drops bombshell: PPP loses ally, majority
In the final act of its long impending divorce from the coalition government, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Sunday announced its defection to the opposition benches in the Senate and the National Assembly — a decision that has stripped the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of its already slender majority in parliament.
As the junior partner in the coalition, the MQM officials quit the alliance with the Pakistan Peoples Party on December 27 but left the door ajar for rapprochement if its grievances were properly addressed.
Exactly a week later MQM lawmaker Haider Abbas Rizvi told the media after a three-hour long Rabita Committee session that the decision to sit in the opposition had become inevitable for the party after the government increased petroleum prices — a move that it said would directly hurt the common people from whom the MQM draws its vote bank. State Youth Minister Faisal Sabzwari said the poor law and order situation in the province, especially Sindh, was also one of the main factors behind the announcement.
Another lawmaker of the party, Waseem Akhtar, told The Express Tribune that he saw no irony in the fact that the MQM would now be sitting alongside the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with whose leaders he had only recently had a slanging match. “Such things happen in a democracy and there’s nothing out of the ordinary in that,” he said. The party will file a formal request to sit on the opposition benches before the speaker at Monday’s National Assembly session. Akhtar said that his party had taken a principled stand against inflation in the country. “This has nothing to do with the ongoing talks (with the PPP) or with President Asif Zardari.”
Despite pulling out of the government, Rizvi said the MQM is neither destabilising the government nor derailing democracy.
Asked where his party would stand in case of a vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Akhtar said, “When the time comes, the party will decide after consulting with the Rabita Committee.” However, Rabita Committee member Wasay Jalil could not resist dropping a hint. “Doesn’t sitting on the opposition benches give an indication where things are heading?” asked Jalil.
Also, MQM chief Altaf Hussain telephoned PML-Q chairperson Chaudhry Shujaat, PML-F chief Pir Pagara, JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman and Ejazul Haq, and took them into confidence about his party’s decision.
PPP leaders continued to put on a brave face, with its leaders insisting there was nothing to worry about. Even though the party’s chief troubleshooter Rehman Malik was in town, he was nowhere to be seen. No emergency session was held either at Bilawal House where the president was staying or at the Chief Minister House.
Fauzia Wahab, the party’s information secretary, said the president was deliberately quiet because he was genuinely interested in reconciling with the MQM. When asked whether the PPP had lost its majority in parliament and would be forced to call mid-term elections, she dismissed the assertions as immature at this point. “Have the MQM and PML-N become friends? Are the PML-N and PML-Q on good terms?” she shot back. She insisted that her party didn’t need to show its strength in parliament. “Why should we prove that we have a majority in parliament? They should come and prove on the floor of the house that we don’t have a majority,” she said.
Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said the president was watching the developments very closely. “We sincerely hope that the MQM will reconsider its decision as the president believes that all differences can be sorted out,” he said. However, sources say that there are a few hurdles blocking a PPP- MQM rapprochement, including the fate of Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza.
PPP leaders do not view its shrunken numerical strength in parliament as a problem. They claim that the PML-Q like-minded group is ready to join them on the treasury benches. However, MQM’s departure would mean that it would become harder to keep a handle on Karachi’s law and order breakdown. Meanwhile, Nine Zero issued a statement late in the night: “MQM founder and leader Altaf Hussain has ratified the decision of the coordination committee. The meeting condemned the stupendous increase in petrol, diesel, and kerosene oil prices and noted with concern that the poor and middle-class people were already faced with misery and hardship.
About the decision, it said pressure was mounting on the elected representatives because of the increase in POL prices. “In these situations MQM considers it a travesty to sit on the treasury benches hence we would sit on the opposition benches in the Senate and National Assembly. Nonetheless we will continue to support positive steps of the government and openly oppose all those steps that go against the interest of the people.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2011.
Read more:
coalitionwoes
Reader Comments (69)
Latest News
Shaadi 2.0
Most divorced, widowed Pakistani women not only haunted by ghosts of previous marriages, also fight for respect.
Acid Crimes: For victims, an ambulance of hope
To-date, the hospital has received 700 acid victims, 450 of whom were treated.
IT infrastructure: PM announces Rs17 billion for broadband
Virtual University to open 30 more campuses across country.
Provincial Officers: No meeting yet of promotion committee
Committee has until around the end of this month to finalise recommendations for submission to the chief minister.
Tobacco ban: City delays crackdown on smoking
Sheesha cafes urge DCO to allow smoking outdoors or in enclosed cabins.
Recent Slideshows
More in Sindh
Target killings: 1 MQM, 2 ANP men killed
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or derived from.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted © 2012 The Express Tribune News Network.
Technical feedback? webmaster@tribune.com.pk
Very Good step and timing is also good…. MQM is the voice of common middle class & lower middle class people of Pakistan….Recommend
Hassan Askari Saheb Petrol excuses are just on surface; there are unforeseen reasons which can’t be disclosed here. Pakistan’s decisions are taken at State Department not in ISLAMabad.Recommend
Drama…MQM is doing all this to put extreme pressure on PPP so that they accept thier conditions….MQM is a party, that can never survive being in opposition…Recommend
The MQM must watch out for Zulfiqar Mirza now. He will now try to flare ethnic violence in Karachi and Hyderabad. Fortunately, thus far Rehman Malik has not shown Naseerullah Babar like tendencies.Recommend
Why mqm parted their ways when ppp was accmodating them at level most regarding LB elections, RGST, admin issues. If mqm says petrolium price hike is unjustified then they can discuss it in parliament. In last wud say goverments have to make unpopular decisions like ppp did but what was that which made mqm take this unpopular decision against spirit of democracy of breaking coalation?!Recommend
Very bad step by MQM, they will be used and thrown away, once enemies of democratic process prevail. Today some newspapers are full of praise for General, regarding his so called stand against USA. Whom they are kidding.Recommend
Another evidence by MQM that it truly represent the common man………. Good Work MQM……..Recommend
This is a pro people decision.At least some one is speaking for the people of Pakistan.
Wake up PML(N)…….
But in 7 days the decision based on past performance will be reversed or watered down.Recommend
Thumbs Up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MQM Good work Altaf Hussain you won my heart
Fahim
LahoreRecommend
Well done MQM you proved all your critics wrong …. well done Proved ur politics for peopleRecommend
This approach suits typical educated class of civilized countries,and its high time we start behaving like one! Its always the masses ,The ruling class and not the servers!!!
if the present regime has not their lessons from from their predecessors,then they have to face the same fate….good bye worst democracy…well another good dictator….bravo muttahida…keep the hopes of poors alive…Recommend
Well done MQM ………… we dont ant political dynasties in Pakistan now ………… if there is going to be democracy then of common people not the land lords and zamindars …….. common man represntation in National Assembly and senate…………. Good work at least someone is voicing for common peopleRecommend
The picture of Altaf Bhai says it all.Recommend
9% increase in petrol price is crippling.It will have cascading affect on food,transport prices.Hey it will cost more even to reach office. Let us fire this incompetent government and get some real leaders to lead this nation to progress and development.how about giving MQM a chance…..
PPP bye bye.we will never vote for you
PML (N)….let us know when you wake upRecommend
It seems to be beginning of dirty 90s politicsRecommend
I have my doubts. They will still bargain and if the price is right, they will tango with PPP, unless they have been directed to do otherwise. Whatever they may claim to be, the representatives of the poor lower middle class, bla bla, the dispute was not over corruption, rising prices, or even inflation, but over territorial rights. The Joint Investigation Team findings is one of the issues, the other being the illogical division of constituencies done by the Mush junta to facilitate his supporters.Recommend
Don’t worry. “In the largest interest of the nation,” either the PML-N or the PML-Q will join the PPP. That’s what their flavor of politics is all about.
As a last ditch effort the PPP will throw some of the lucrative ministries to some top members of these parties and viola!
Then the new government will be very strong to crush the MQM and its so called revolution.
You just watch! :)Recommend
My only concern is a new state operation in Sindh, especially Karachi and Hyderabad.Recommend
Mr. Altaf Hussain, if MQM is truly sitting in the opposition benches, you and your party will earn respect from the entire country, and if it is just a mere drama, then i tell you, your dream of establishing the party beyond Karachi will remain a dream. Well done if its true!Recommend
PPP government has made very unpopular decisions during the tenure of its government. None of its action had provided relief to a common man but added uncounted miseries for the masses.
Any political party which is in minority becomes part of the coalition government for the sake of adding numbers for majority party to keep the government intact.
Finally MQM has decided to break the coalition government, as PPP failed to keep its promises with the minority party in the parliament.
Now Prime Minister has lost the majority in the government and need to take a fresh vote of confidence in the National Assembly with minimum 172 parliamentarians to retain his seat.
JUI(F) group has already said that it want to change the Prime Minister after JUI(F) Federal Ministers were fired by the Prime Ministers.
Today the political situation for PPP has gone from bad to worst. MQM is neither listening to Mr. Rahman Malik, Federal Minister for Interior nor it has given the required time to President Mr. Asif Ali Zardari.
In case if more PPP coalition partners will part-ways from PPP government, it will further complicate the situation for the PPP government.
It is unfortunate that from the day one PPP could not provide relief to the common man in the country which proves that PPP government were totally ineffective.
PPP was only interested to borrow money from the IMF and World Bank for its own sake and not for the sake of an ordinary man.
It is time that PPP government should be dismissed forthwith and a caretaker government based on the technocrats should take over the charge for couple of years after which general elections should be held in the country.Recommend
Good job Altaf bhai !!
Now lets see what PMLn is up to…Recommend
I seriously hope PML N will support the opposition and bring this corrupt government down on its feet.Recommend
Really a good decision taken at the most relevant time. It, now, needs to make some critical decisions in order to try to come out of the situation Pakistan is in, nowadays. the government has badly failed to fulfill its avows. the public has been left in the mirth of problems.Recommend
We laud the stance of MQM for the interest of common people of Pakistan.Recommend
What the heck … so many MQM supporters here. What took the party of UK national so long. What about the target killing in Karachi. What about the politics of violence in Karachi. What about May 12 incident.Recommend
Great Job MQM…Recommend
If they are real patriot and want a real change, they should ask for change of president who is the actual ruler of Pakistan at this timeRecommend
pro people vs pro establishment- the marriage of convenience is over.Recommend
So called intllectuals are pleased and MQM is pleased to trick them once again. Everyone knows that with the rise of international prices, the price of patrol and diesel will rise, present and previous governments have done it with full support of MQM and future government will do it again with MQM support. The sky has not fallen for the first time, it has fallen many times before and people of Pakistan are already crushed underneath. The Patrol prices are just an excuse, elections or some form of new government is on drawing board, therefore its must for MQM to leave the ship and fool its supporters for eighth time.Recommend
I fully agree with the comments made by Ch Allah Daad.they will be thrown away once the enemies of democratic process prevail.This is happing every now and then in our country.
I would like to add here few words.That any future Civilian or Military backed Civilian or Military Goverment which will come into power they have to take unpopular descisions such as taxes,RGST and even price hike(it is happing all over the world).But in the case of Pakistan any goverment cannot escape from making unpopular desicions because for a long time the country’s economy is in a very bad state which depends on loans/grants and Aid( a kind of begging)from various countries and this very insulting.They must try to generate their own income from whatever sources they have to become financial and economically independet(no more IMF and World Bank).Recommend
It would be surprising for most of Pakistanis, to see MQM in Opposition. It is not clear from the report whether or not MQM would leave the Sind govt too. I think MQM is ‘wise’ enough and will not leave the provincial govt because their farewell to Sind treasury benches will not make any difference on PPP’s majority there. It seems a pressure tactics ( which some commentator has already termed ‘Black-Mailing’ ) and we’ll listen soon that MQM has decided to come back, “in the larger interest of the nation & to save democracy” and etc etc., (provided there is no “ORDER” from above).Recommend
MQM is the personification of principles. About time everyone admitted it.Recommend
After so many years the MQM members will be sitting on the opposition benches. This will be good-riddance for the people of Sindh. The government should now restore the writ of the government in Karachi and take action against the target killers without any discrimination. Ishrat Ebad should vacate Governor’s House and the law should take its course as every one knows that he was a wanted man by the law enforcement agencies. The government must institute the audit of CDGK.
I am confident that PML-N will not take side of the MQM. PML-N knows MQM in and out of its activitiesRecommend
Please read my comments which were mistakenly given in another story “Wooing back MQM Zardari assumes role of deal-makwer” dated 31st December.Recommend
Great work! Political instability! Yes, that is just what the country needs. Not as if, if any other government was in power they too would not have had to increase oil prices or make people pay their taxes.Recommend
The picture of Altaf Hussain showing his fist to the Jagirdaar and Waderas of our Country.an bring a RevolutionMQM is a party for the oppressed people of Pakistan,Only they can bring a Revolution.Watch out as the True Opposition Party will take its benches in the Assembly very soon.No more Price hikes.Recommend
Right decision at right time.Now lets see what happens in the next episode of this political drama.Recommend
Although I have my doubts on MQM but if it stays in opposition till the next elections then I ll definitely vote for it next time provided they give ticket to somebody in my constituency in Lahore.
Made a mistake to vote for PML (N) last time. They and the PPP are conjoined twins to tell the truth.Recommend
i hope someone here can listen & understand what Abbas Khan said !Recommend
During signing Charter of Democracy it was decided not to make them part of any siting government due to their track record with civilian set ups. The real issue is of power sharing in Sindh and those are known to all. Certainly there is some “Whistling and Winking” from here and there. It is not prudent for all of them to remove the present government and not allowing them to complete 5 years or are we heading for some “Technocratic Government” with same faces and political leanings if so then Welcome Dooms Day.Recommend
MQM always see their own benefit, they do ZAATI MAFAD politics. Because there are worse situations since three years where were the so called MQM, now when their self respect has been hit by Zulfiqar Mirza, now they started to shout about petrol prices, food prices and so & so…….this is not patriotism at all…….please save Pakistan.Recommend
gr8 move MQM , PPP should be gone forevaRecommend
No politics here in Pakistan for the peoples but for party / personal interests. MQM had problem in Sindh, and they are sitting in Sindh govt????????????????????????????????Recommend
@Abbas Khan Your argument that ‘rise of international prices, the price of patrol and diesel will rise’ is totally wrong as half of the pertrol price is consisting of taxes and this is not ‘just an excuse’ as this mini budget would increase prices of basic commodities, transport fare, electricity,etc. But of course this won’t affect you??
@Mohammed Moinuddin Why the government take unpopular decisions, MQM have suggested proper taxation of upper elite including agriculture tax and to take back money from loans defaulters.However, the decision by MQM is the true voice of the common man of Pakistan and sure that i would earn respect for the party across Pakistan.Recommend
Typo in your pie chart… PML Q??Recommend
Janab, chart ko publish karne se pehle aik dafa dekh lete tu kafi acha hota. PML-Q 49 not PML-N and PPP-Sherpao 1 not 91. ThnxRecommend
Now waiting for patriotic jernail.Recommend
At least some one is standing up and voicing thier concerns.
But my worry is : are their enough chairs in National Assembly on opposition side to accommodate all who want to sit in opposition?Recommend
Jiye MQM, voice of citizensRecommend
This is all a conspiracy to throw the grovernment…. but INSHALLAH nothing like this will happen. Pakistan is weak right now, this government had to take unpopular steps for the progress of this country. We need to continue the process of democracy and not let it derail.Recommend
Thanks for pointing it out (Web Desk)Recommend
A New Game between MQM and PPP…Recommend
MQM as usual has left an ally in lurch. They are still milking Provincial Government. They should quit provincial government also where there numbers do not count.
In any case, after the next general election, the condition will not change and politicians will prove to the world that they are the most selfish breed of all human species.
The termites (bureaucracy) of Pakistan, will again have a field day, when the politicians will be cutting throats of each other. Thanks to the greed of Maulana and soar throat.Recommend
MQM opposing government in National Assembly, however they are still in coalition in Provisional Assembly……. WHAT A CONTRAST!Recommend
I am simply delighted..Recommend
So what next.More wheeling dealing and compromises.
Some good people will pack up and leave the country.
People will suffer more with rising pricesRecommend
The decision to part ways from coalition left several question marks on the future of both the parties. For MQM is restricted to Sindh more precisely to Karachi and JUI-F in a few miles inside Khyber Pukhtun Khaw. They did not isolate PPP but they isolated democracy, they segregated themselves. For PPP always exited independently and can even exit solo for centuries but both the groups even not able to run their candidates apart from their margins.
Besides this suppose PPP sits on opposition benches, how they can run the government. Even all these small groups including PML-N can not run the governance of this country. For the restrain, patience and acumen PPP have, PML-N can not demonstrate ever. Such a coalition government even can not exist for a month. Thus MQM and JUI-F should not play in hands with establishment, anti-democratic elements and media pundits. For PPP is guarantor of their bright future, prosperity of Pakistan and sovereignty of this country.Recommend
It took a decade for MQM to come out from the shadows of its awkward past and become a party that actually did some solid work that went beyond mere sloganeering and cheap shouts of a revolution; but I am afraid, we might be seeing the MQM losing the plot once again. These last ten years may have been good for MQM to successfully move on and away from all the madness that it went through in the 1990s, but let’s hope these same 10 years haven’t made them forget what life was like in Karachi in that dreadful decade.Recommend
Just a topi drama or black mailing and nothing. After 3 years they seen these things LOLZ… Fooling in JanuaryRecommend
Well what the MQM has done is fair enough, any1 should have taken a stance and MQM has taken it. It was badly needed. The govt needed a shock to get on the right way,although it wont take them to the right way but it will help a lot.They must keep this up but i dont think it will last long time.
PML(N) just pretended to oppose the govt while it was working as we all can see a partner or even if not partner then a supporter in an indirect way. So has it done now as they have said they wont bring the movement in house,which ultimately supprots gilani govt indirectly…..Recommend
There was no other way to see the back of this government. Peoples party has given us what they always do- insecurity in the country, ever increasing prices and an almost dead economy. Nawaz Sharif wont be much better though…Recommend
The MQM is frank and candid in implementing its party principles. It does what it says. It shows tolerance and GOOD GOVERNANCE (Local bodies).
This step was long overdue and the Sindh government in communion with the premier did its part in driving them out.
Salams and best wishes for 2011.Recommend
MQM is wining peoples mind
Good stepRecommend
MQM is winning , God move :)Recommend
Are you sure Babar Bhai that this is finally final? Rehman Malik President’s Side-Kick numero ONE is off to London as of nowRecommend
Are you sure Babar Bhai that this time it is finally final and there will be no back-tracking? Rehman Malik, President’s side-kick numero ONE has landed or about to land in London….. I WILL FOREVER BE A MQM sympathizer IF IT RIDs THIS POOR COUNTRY from …. I will not name names, but you ask some one to tell you about a 1964 block buster film “Becket” where King Henry the VI th (I guess) rants about his friend Becket, his self-appointed Arch Bishop of Centerburry who had lost his favours:
“Is there no one who will rid me of this . . . . .”Recommend
Good work MQMRecommend
Strange people are criticizing MQM for siting in opposition in NA while being in govt in SA, while ignoring the fact that PMLn is also in opposition in NA, and is the govt with PPP in PA.
Blockquote
Blockquote> Hypocrisy Blockquote
BlockquoteRecommend
Now give a chance to Mustufa Kamal or Imran Khan as our New Prime Minister..Recommend