MQM-P appears to keep options open

ISLAMABAD:

As the opposition’s no-trust move against the government is gaining steam, MQM-P, another ally of the PTI, seems to have second thoughts about remaining with the ruling coalition.

An MQM-P delegation held separate meetings with the leadership of the JUI-F and PPP, as well as another ally, the PML-Q.

An MQM-P delegation, led by the party’s convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui called on JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who also heads the opposition alliance the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) at his residence in Islamabad to discuss the no-confidence motion and the political situation in the country.

After the meeting, the JUI-F chief told reporters that all parties were in touch with each other amid the political turmoil. “It is the beauty of politics to have these meetings,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Siddiqui said the government kept changing but democracy must be maintained. “We will review the no-confidence motion. That is why the series of meetings is going on.”

The MQM-P leader also maintained that his party’s distance from Prime Minister Imran Khan had been reduced after the premier visited its temporary headquarters in Bahadurabad during his trip to Karachi a day earlier.

On the presence of Ansar-ul-Islam, a sub-organisation of the JUI-F in front of the Parliament Lodges, the Maulana claimed that his party’s volunteers were peaceful. “We rely on our volunteers instead of police in our rallies.”

Earlier, PML-Q leader and federal minister Tariq Bashir Cheema and Moonis Elahi, the son of senior party leader and Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi, also met with the MQM-P delegation as well another coalition partner, the BAP, in Islamabad and discussed the no-trust motion.

The allies decided to stay in touch with each other and take each other into confidence before making any decision.

According to sources, the MQM-P informed the PML-Q leaders that they supported the PTI despite its reservations and demands still not being addressed.

They added that the allies agreed that they would suffer a defeat if the opposition succeeded in its no-trust motion against PM Imran with the help of disgruntled PTI lawmakers.

The MQM-P delegation also called on PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari at his residence. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah were also present in the meeting.

Separately, PML-N leader Khurram Dastgir and spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb lashed out at PM Imran, accusing him of denting the country’s interest through his foreign policy.

Addressing a news conference at the party central secretariat, Dastgir claimed that the premier’s foreign policy had benefitted India the most. He added that the premier had chosen a really inappropriate time to visit Russia.

Speaking on the occasion, Marriyum said every citizen was in danger when the prime minister of the country told the opposition that it was at the target of his gun.