MQM-P may become coalition partner in Sindh: Ghani

So far no discussion has been held between MQM-P and PPP to make MQM a coalition partner in Sindh, says Ghani

ISLAMABAD:

As the season of head hunters is at its peak, with everyone running after headcount, the Pakistan Peoples Party’s Sindh government information minister told the media in Islamabad that Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) is likely to join the provincial coalition.

Hinting at the thawing of ice between the two major parties of Sindh known for now-friend-now-foe relations, Saeed Ghani said MQM-P will join the PPP-led Sindh government with the improvement of ties between the two parties.

Ghani said that so far no discussion has been held between MQM-P and PPP to make MQM a coalition partner in the PPP’s Sindh government.

Speaking at a press conference at Peoples Media Cell on Tuesday, the Sindh information minister said that up to the present moment the MQM had not asked the PPP to make it a part of the provincial government.

He, however, said the possibility did exist that MQM was made a coalition partner in PPP Sindh government after the improvement in ties between the two parties.

Read More: MQM-P says backing govt a matter of principles

As of now, no discussion had taken place between the MQM and PPP to make the former a part of the Sindh government and offer it slots in the provincial cabinet, said Ghani.

To a question, he said PPP didn’t have the power to appoint the Sindh governor nor the position of governor was part of the provincial government.

“Although I’m a staunch opponent of the MQM I’m of the opinion that so far issues raised by them (in the talks between the two parties) are all valid problems,” he said.

Ghani said the MQM had raised the issue of a 40 per cent quota in government jobs for the urban population while saying that injustice was being done in this regard due to the issue of bogus domiciles.

To a question, he said that Sindh had to become the ultimate sufferer due to the situation of confrontation between the PPP and MQM as the lingering political dispute had also caused harm to the MQM’s traditional vote bank in Karachi and in other parts of Sindh.

He said that he had always honoured the mandate and vote bank of MQM in the urban parts of the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2022.