PDM leaders move to placate MQM-P after divorce threat

Shehbaz, Zardari, Fazl speak with Siddiqui and assure him of progress on demands

KARACHI:

The senior-most leadership of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) contacted Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Friday after the latter threatened to part ways with the ruling coalition over local bodies elections in Karachi.

The MQM-P convened a meeting of the party’s Coordination Committee, where a majority of members suggested quitting the government if the local bodies elections were not postponed, sources said, adding that the party’s federal ministers handed their resignations to Siddiqui.

The MQM-P wants the local government elections on the basis of “correctly-demarcated constituencies”. The local bodies elections are due on Sunday (tomorrow) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declined Sindh government’s request for postponing the vote.

Soon after the MQM-P said it was considering quitting the coalition, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contacted Siddiqui and assured him of “positive progress” on his demands. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also spoke with Siddiqui.

According to sources, the political leaders assured Siddiqui of headway on the MQM-P’s demands. “The prime minister promised to resolve the issues by late night and give him good news,” a source privy to the development told The Express Tribune.

Read MQM-P reunifies breakaway factions ahead of LG polls

Meanwhile, hectic consultations were under way till late night following the MQM-P’s threat of divorcing the ruling coalition. The senior MQM-P leaders reached Governor House late at night, while the Sindh government also convened an important meeting at the Chief Minister House.

According to the sources, senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ayaz Sadiq also contacted Siddiqui and assured him of the resolution of their issues. Till late night, no decision had been taken regarding the local elections.

Siddiqui said that former president Asif Zardari had been contacted, adding that Zardari said that he was aware of the MQM-P’s difficulties. Siddiqui also said that Zardari had kept his promises but “now we have to see how he will fulfil his promise with us”.