MQM-P shares grievances over pact violations with PM

Sources say key coalition partner could take ‘important decisions’ if Sindh Local Govt Act not amended

KARACHI:

A delegation of MQM-Pakistan, the coalition partners of ruling PML-N, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday and expressed serious concerns over non-implementation of the agreement signed with the Centre and the Sindh government.

The delegation comprised MQM-P convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis’ Affairs Faisal Sabzwari, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Waseem Akhtar. Federal ministers Rana Sanaullah, Saad Rafique and Ayaz Sadiq were also present in the meeting.

Sources said the Sindh governor apprised the prime minister about the concerns of MQM-P and categorically stated that holding local body elections without new delimitations in Karachi would be meaningless.

The delegation said new delimitations were one of the important demands in the agreement that the party had signed with the PDM and PPP earlier in March this year in return for supporting the then opposition against the PTI-led government.

The party also complained that the PPP-led Sindh government had not amended the Local Government Act and implemented Section 140A of the Constitution in violation of the agreement.

Addressing the prime minister, the MQM-P leaders were quoted as saying in the meeting that, “You and [PDM chief] Maulana Fazlur Rehman were the guarantors of the agreement with the PPP, now you decide what should be done as nearly six months have passed since the party signed the agreement”.

“A decision has to be taken soon. If PPP is not willing to implement the agreement then let us know,” the MQM-P leaders told the premier.

Also read: Agreement not being kept, MQM tells PM

Insiders said PM Shehbaz Sharif termed the MQM-P an important ally of the government and assured them that the agreement that it signed with the Centre and Sindh government will be fulfilled. “Karachi cannot be left alone like this,” the PM added.

The prime minister said he will personally talk to PPP leaders Asif Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto to ensure implementation on the deal.

Sources said there were chances that MQM-P after consulting its coordination committee will take ‘important decisions’ if the Sindh government did not make amendments to the Local Government Act.

However, an official statement issued by PM Office after meeting said the MQM-P delegation lauded the prime minister for the measures taken by the federal government for rescue and rehabilitation of the flood affected people.

“During the meeting, current political situation in the country was also discussed in detail.”