However, the PPP has decided to prepare a final report on the matter after intra-party consultations, sources told Daily Express. And one of the MQM demands is likely to be conceded at a meeting on January 14.
It was decided in a high-level meeting between the two parties at the Governor’s House in Karachi on Sunday. Attendees at the meeting included Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shan and Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Senator Babar Ghauri, Kanwar Naveed Jamil and Wasim Aftab. Top provincial bureaucrats and other officials were also in attendance.
Sources told Express that the MQM has asked the government to immediately hold local bodies’ elections. And if there are any hiccups, then previous district governments should be reinstated.
The other demands put forward by the MQM included release of funds for district governments of Karachi and Hyderabad and provision of jobs to Karachi’s youths in all provincial departments, including police.
According to the sources, Interior Minister Malik sought some time from the MQM team for consultation with his party’s leadership on these demands.
Provincial ministers informed the meeting about administrative issues confronting their departments. Chief Minister Shah directed the chief secretary to take immediate action and address the problems.
The meeting also finalised a roadmap for providing relief to people through mutual cooperation, smooth running of development projects and meaningful progress. Governor Ishratul Ebad expressed hope that these steps would ensure good governance and reduce people’s problems.
The participants agreed that in the present situation when the country was faced with the threat of extremism, cooperation among moderate forces was essential. They also agreed to follow the vision of President Asif Zardari and MQM chief Altaf Hussain to steer the country out of crises.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2011.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ