Changing sides: MQM applies for opposition seats in Sindh Assembly

MQM MPAs to nominate opposition leader, Jam Madad Ali welcomes the decision.


Express June 29, 2011

KARACHI:


The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MPAs have asked the speaker to allow them to sit on the opposition benches.


On Wednesday, MQM’s parliamentary leader Sardar Ahmed submitted the application, replete with 51 signatures. “All our ministers have already tendered their resignations following the MQM Rabita Committee’s decision,” he said.

He added that MQM MPAs would soon nominate an opposition leader unanimously. Legislators Zareen Majeed, Naheed Begum, Bilqees Mukhtiar, Muhammad Raza Haroon, Shoaib Bukhari and Muhammad Moin Pirzada were among those who signed the application.

Opposition leader Jam Madad Ali told The Express Tribune that he was a joint opposition leader and has the support of 15 MPAs belonging to his party, Pakistan Muslim League - Functional, and Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid (PML-Q). “We will welcome the MQM if it joins us,” he said. It is the constitutional right of the party, which forms the majority in opposition, to nominate their opposition leader, he added.

PML-Q’s Razzaq Rahimoon said that, “we are the real opposition. I don’t foresee the MQM joining us given their past record”. Despite a limited number of members, the opposition has a strong role and the MQM’s decision to sit on opposition benches would give a tough time to the government, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2011.

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