MQM-Shehbaz meeting provides grist for rumour mill

MQM-P delegation holds back-to-back meeting with PML-N and PML-Q; insiders say allies agreed to ‘wait-and-see’ policy

LAHORE:

An MQM-P delegation on Tuesday held back-to-back meetings with the opposition PML-N and another ally PML-Q — an ominous sign for the PTI as cracks have apparently emerged in the ruling alliance.

The delegation, which included MQM-P Senior Deputy Convener Aamir Khan and former Karachi mayor Wasim Akhtar, first met with PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif at the latter’s Model Town residence in Lahore.

پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے صدر اور قائد حزب اختلاف شہباز شریف سے ملاقات کے لئے متحدہ قومی موومنٹ (ایم کیو ایم) کا وفد ماڈل ٹاؤن پہنچ گیا

شہبازشریف نے ایم کیو ایم کے سینئر ڈپٹی کنوینر عامر خان پارٹی راہنما وسیم اختر کا آمد پر استقبال کیا pic.twitter.com/zwlesIFt7L

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) February 8, 2022

Other party leaders present on the occasion included Ahsan Iqbal, Saad Rafique, Shah Mohammad Shah, Miftah Ismail and Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Talking to the media after the meeting that lasted for more than an hour, Shehbaz told reporters that he has suggested to the MQM-P to leave the ruling coalition. “Hopefully, the MQM-P will make a decision that is in the interest of the country and its people,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, the MQM-P senior deputy convener said the rising prices of essentials had become pressing issue, which the party had raised in the cabinet meeting.

“If the opposition proposes any concrete action against the government, we are ready to consider it,” he added.

“Any constitutional proposal of the opposition will be put before our coordination committee and a decision will be made in consultation with it.”

https://t.co/IyCwXVIXSY

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) February 8, 2022

Aamir expressed his gratitude to the PML-N for its cooperation on the issue of strengthening local bodies.

“If the local government law is enacted in light of the Supreme Court’s decision, the matter can be significantly improved and local bodies can be empowered.”

Also read: MQM-P delegation meets Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore

He noted that his party had complaints against the PPP in Sindh as it was oppressing it the province.

“Our friends here in Punjab are also suffering from similar problems.”

The MQM-P leader maintained that the whole of Sindh, including Karachi, was in ruins.

Shehbaz said the two sides had discussed the economic, financial and political situation in the country.

He wondered where the package to the tune of Rs1.10 trillion for Karachi announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan had gone.

He added that if PM Imran started a public campaign, he would find out what the nation actually thought about his government.

“The no-confidence motion is a constitutional option. Hopefully the MQM-P will decide in public interest.”

Shehbaz claimed that the PTI-led government had been doing nothing for the last three and a half years except pushing the opposition against the wall.

“The proposed anti-government measures will be considered at the PDM [Pakistan Democratic Movement] meeting in the next few days.”

According to insiders, the MQM-P expressed its lack of confidence in the leadership of PM Imran during the meeting.

They added that the delegation told the PML-N leadership that the premier did not know how to rule the country and one decision was made in the morning while another at night.

They complained that the MQM-P had always remained part of ruling coalitions but no government had ever gone back on its promises as the PTI had.

The sources said the MQM-P said Karachi was its mandate but it was snatched away from it and other forces were imposed in the city.

They added that the MQM delegation had asked Shehbaz to visit Karachi and he accepted its invitation.

The MQM-P later met the PML-Q leadership, where both the coalition partners agreed to adopt a “wait-and-see” policy until the opposition's agenda became clearer.

Aamir Khan and Wasim Akhtar met with PML-Q leadership Chaudhry Shujaat and Pervez Elahi at their residence.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Aamir said they had arrived to inquire after the health of Shujaat.

He added that an all-party conference was held on Sindh’s LG law in which various parties had conceded that the bill was flawed.

He recalled that a protest was held outside the Sindh CM’s House in which one party activist lost his life.

“We are both coalition partners and we stand together if we have any grievances.”

The MQM-P leader said they were with the government, but they would decide their future in consultation with PML-Q and its allies.

“There is no facilitation in politics. We have not excluded anyone.”

Pervaiz Elahi, a senior PML-Q leader as well as the Punjab Assembly speaker, told reporters on the occasion that the issue of the LG law was under way and they had agreed on 60% of the matter with the opposition.

Also read: Zardari reaches out to PML-Q for support

“However, it is certain that if any party comes to power, we cannot change it.”

Elahi further said the opposition would respond to the no-confidence motion itself.

“Right now thing are gathering in the kitchen. We will decide when something comes out cooked.”

The PML-Q leader pointed out that there were only two years of the PTI-led government left, claiming that there was no talk of overthrowing it or moving a no-confidence motion.

“[PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali] Zardari sahib said that he wanted to come to inquire after the health of Shujaat sahib and that was his real purpose,” he said referring to the former president’s recent visit to the PML-Q leadership’s residence.

He added that the allies would consult again when the opposition's strategy became clearer.

According to insiders, the two government allies have agreed to adopt a “wait-and-see” policy.

They added that the coalition partners would take action when the “solid cards” of the opposition came to the fore.

The PML-Q and MQM-P have agreed to make any decision in the current political situation through consultation.

On Sunday, the MQM-P delegation had met with the leadership of the opposition ANP in Charsadda.