Multiple challenges: Zardari, Altaf agree to forge national unity
President Asif Ali Zardari and chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain agreed that the current domestic situation demanded unity and solidarity to overcome multiple challenges facing the country.
The two leaders talked to each other on phone on Thursday.
According to an MQM handout, in addition to inquiring about each other’s health, both leaders discussed the current domestic political situation.
Other issued covered in the discussion included peace and stability in Karachi, devastation caused by floods in the Punjab and Sindh provinces, outbreak of dengue fever in the Punjab and other issues of mutual interest.
Both the leaders are said to have expressed regrets over the loss of precious lives because of floods and outbreak of diseases.
Hussain is said to have assured President Zardari of his full cooperation this regard. He also informed the president about the relief work undertaken by the MQM for the people in flood-hit areas.
Meanwhile, Presidency’s spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that President Zardari and Altaf Hussain exchanged views on ways and means to improve the relations between the PPP and MQM.
Altaf Hussain is said to have assured President Zardari that the MQM would not part ways with the PPP “for the stability of democratic order in the country” and that his party would continue its cooperation with the ruling party on key national issues.
Sources said that Hussain had conveyed his concern to the president Zardari over the “attitude of certain PPP leaders”. However, both of them agreed to continue consultations and dialogue.
President Zardari told Altaf Hussain that the country was passing through a critical phase and no single party would be able steer it out of the crisis on its own. “Sindh is inundated and Punjab is facing dengue virus. There is a need for political parties to forge unity and move forward together,” sources quoted Zardari as saying.
Reiterating the policy of reconciliation, President Zardari said that his party would continue to pursue this policy. MQM, he said, was a political party and an “undeniable reality”, adding that the PPP respected MQM’s mandate.
Sources said that matters related to MQM’s rejoining the government were also discussed. (Additional input from Online)
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2011.
COMMENTS (5)
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@Engr Nasir Jamal: Thanks for sensible and balanced comments. I would like to add that once a coalition is formed then those parties should act as allies and take responsibility of govt actions. Not act both as govt and opposition, this is the root cause of all disturbances and breakups. Mutual respect, trust and shared responsibility is a must.
May Allah protect Pakistan from dirty politicians.. Ameen.
Good omen . Mr.Zardari needs to prove his sincereity .Arm or for that matter , finger twisting tactics will result in something ominous in fututre despite the meddling of the "omnipotent " supreme court and co.
Increasing political contacts between political parties is a good omen for the country. It will help end recriminations in the long run. It is necessary for peace and stability in the country. Everything depends on political stability. If there is political stability there will be peace. If there is peace there will be business activities and hence economic progress. Our political parties must realize that we cannot survive for too long on foreign aids and grants. We must learn to move forward taking recourse to self reliance.
There are many who would say that this is a power game. But those passing adverse remarks about political parties and their leaders do not even go to vote at the time of elections. Let the people judge between the right and wrong through ballot.