PM off to MQM headquarters: Gilani’s visit indicates possible reconciliation
Gilani to meet MQM following resolution of one of their publicly known demands of petrol price hike reversal.
KARACHI:
In an attempt to resolve lingering issues between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will be visiting MQM headquarters at Nine Zero today (Friday) afternoon.
On Thursday night, Gilani along with Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah met the Governor of Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad immediately after landing in Karachi. Interior Minister Rehman Malik was also present. They discussed the prevailing political situation, especially the estranged PPP-MQM relationship.
Although the two sides are tight-lipped about what is expected, it is said that there are chances that the MQM will reconcile to the idea of reclaiming its place in the government.
PPP Information Secretary Fauzia Wahab refused to confirm or deny the premier’s visit, but said that “things are now looking better (between the two parties).”
She said that one of the main publicly known demands of the MQM was to reduce petrol prices, which has now been resolved.
Wahab added that the issue of choosing a new governor of Punjab was also expected to be decided during Gilani’s meeting with the president in the city.
MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari confirmed that the premier was expected to arrive at Nine Zero on Friday, where he would be welcomed by party parliamentarians and senior members of the Rabita Committee.
However, when asked whether a breakthrough had been finally achieved, he said: ‘No, Nothing.’
Professor Rasul Bakhsh Rais, who teaches political science at LUMS University, told The Express Tribune that the premier’s visit to Nine Zero indicates that all issues between the two parties have been sorted out.
“Also, it will give the MQM an honourable face saving excuse of re-entering the coalition as they’ll be able to say that even though all of their reservations were not removed, they were giving the present coalition another chance because of Gilani’s visit,” he said.
When asked why Gilani would visit Nine Zero if he knew that he will be returning empty handed, Sabzwari insisted that the MQM will not be going back and said, “Didn’t he (Gilani) visit PML-N and Q like that?”
Rais said if the MQM doesn’t re-enter the coalition despite the withdrawal of increase in petroleum prices, it would only confirm that it was not the real issue for the party to begin with, rather a gimmick to play to the gallery.
Also, it would show that the party was sensing that the present PPP-led government was about to collapse and that the MQM would not want to be part of a failing government just days before a mid-term election.
Analyst Zahid Hussain said the petrol price hike was “never the real issue.” The MQM’s main concern is total control over Karachi, especially the local governance versus the commissioner system, post the of city administrator and so on.
Economist Dr Pervez Tahir told The Express Tribune that the irony in all of this is that despite the political drama demanding the withdrawal of the petrol hike to somehow lessen the burden on the common man, “the truth is that the measure will add to the budgetary deficit since the government would be forced to pay for petrol at the international market rate of $96 per barrel, bringing a steep rise in inflation.”
Tahir also added that by not adhering to the IMF conditions, the government’s agreement with the organistation had a good chance of breaking down, especially given that the last tranche of money came months ago and there was pressure on the country’s economy. He predicted that there would be a very slow growth in the economy in the days to come, no matter who stays in power.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik held a one-on-one meeting with the Sindh governor at the Governor House to resolve the tension between PPP and MQM.
MQM’s demand to defer the Commissionrate Bill in the Sindh Assembly has also been met as the bill was removed from the agenda. “The bill was a top priority of today’s session, but at last stage had been asked to defer it,” said an official of Sindh Assembly. Sources said that a few demands of the party including appointment of newly District Coordination Officer (DCO) and land being provided to them outside the city have been fulfilled. (Additional reporting by Hafeez Tunio)
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2011.
In an attempt to resolve lingering issues between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will be visiting MQM headquarters at Nine Zero today (Friday) afternoon.
On Thursday night, Gilani along with Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah met the Governor of Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad immediately after landing in Karachi. Interior Minister Rehman Malik was also present. They discussed the prevailing political situation, especially the estranged PPP-MQM relationship.
Although the two sides are tight-lipped about what is expected, it is said that there are chances that the MQM will reconcile to the idea of reclaiming its place in the government.
PPP Information Secretary Fauzia Wahab refused to confirm or deny the premier’s visit, but said that “things are now looking better (between the two parties).”
She said that one of the main publicly known demands of the MQM was to reduce petrol prices, which has now been resolved.
Wahab added that the issue of choosing a new governor of Punjab was also expected to be decided during Gilani’s meeting with the president in the city.
MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari confirmed that the premier was expected to arrive at Nine Zero on Friday, where he would be welcomed by party parliamentarians and senior members of the Rabita Committee.
However, when asked whether a breakthrough had been finally achieved, he said: ‘No, Nothing.’
Professor Rasul Bakhsh Rais, who teaches political science at LUMS University, told The Express Tribune that the premier’s visit to Nine Zero indicates that all issues between the two parties have been sorted out.
“Also, it will give the MQM an honourable face saving excuse of re-entering the coalition as they’ll be able to say that even though all of their reservations were not removed, they were giving the present coalition another chance because of Gilani’s visit,” he said.
When asked why Gilani would visit Nine Zero if he knew that he will be returning empty handed, Sabzwari insisted that the MQM will not be going back and said, “Didn’t he (Gilani) visit PML-N and Q like that?”
Rais said if the MQM doesn’t re-enter the coalition despite the withdrawal of increase in petroleum prices, it would only confirm that it was not the real issue for the party to begin with, rather a gimmick to play to the gallery.
Also, it would show that the party was sensing that the present PPP-led government was about to collapse and that the MQM would not want to be part of a failing government just days before a mid-term election.
Analyst Zahid Hussain said the petrol price hike was “never the real issue.” The MQM’s main concern is total control over Karachi, especially the local governance versus the commissioner system, post the of city administrator and so on.
Economist Dr Pervez Tahir told The Express Tribune that the irony in all of this is that despite the political drama demanding the withdrawal of the petrol hike to somehow lessen the burden on the common man, “the truth is that the measure will add to the budgetary deficit since the government would be forced to pay for petrol at the international market rate of $96 per barrel, bringing a steep rise in inflation.”
Tahir also added that by not adhering to the IMF conditions, the government’s agreement with the organistation had a good chance of breaking down, especially given that the last tranche of money came months ago and there was pressure on the country’s economy. He predicted that there would be a very slow growth in the economy in the days to come, no matter who stays in power.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik held a one-on-one meeting with the Sindh governor at the Governor House to resolve the tension between PPP and MQM.
MQM’s demand to defer the Commissionrate Bill in the Sindh Assembly has also been met as the bill was removed from the agenda. “The bill was a top priority of today’s session, but at last stage had been asked to defer it,” said an official of Sindh Assembly. Sources said that a few demands of the party including appointment of newly District Coordination Officer (DCO) and land being provided to them outside the city have been fulfilled. (Additional reporting by Hafeez Tunio)
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2011.