Pakistan

Behind the scenes contact helps mellow down tensions between MQM-P, PSP

Sources say an eight-member committee will be formed to shape political and electoral alliance at the provincial level

Aamir Khan November 22, 2017

Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal attending a seminar at the University of Karachi earlier this year. PHOTO: PPI

KARACHI: Behind the scenes contacts between Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan [MQM-P] and Pak Sarzameen Party [PSP] have helped ease 'tensions' between the two political parties.

Sources say the leadership has decided to adopt a 'cordial' posture than a 'confronting' stance to allow the situation to deescalate.

The development comes weeks after MQM-P chief Dr Farooq Sattar backtracked from forging a "political alliance" for the 2018 elections by contesting through the platform of one-party with one-symbol, after the decision received backlash from within the party and workers.

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However, given the circumstances, criticism and counter-criticism cannot be ruled out. After the botched attempt to engineer alliance, top leadership of the parties made contact and mutually agreed to not issue statements against any institution or against each other. They also decided to begin the dialogue process anew.

Sources told The Express Tribune that tension levels rose after MQM-P chief levelled serious allegations against the PSP in his news conference but behind-the-scenes contact helped mellow it down. Both the parties have now decided to keep mum.

In fact, an eight-member committee is expected to be formed soon to shape political and electoral alliance at the provincial level which will be then infused to national level before the general elections likely to take place next year.

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The committee would initiate contacts with other political parties to make them part of the alliance, it will be responsible to come up with the name of the new party, election symbol and decisions on fielding candidates in national and provincial assemblies.

The alliance is primarily to give opposition to the ruling Pakistan People's Party in Sindh. Sources say if other parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf refuse to join the alliance, it will be limited to urban Sindh.