Tessori axing: govt seeks to calm MQM

Party leaders likely to meet PM Shehbaz in coming days

KARACHI:

Senior leaders of the ruling PML-N on Friday reached out to the leadership of its ally MQM-P after the party protested the removal of Kamran Khan Tessori and appointment of Nehal Hashmi.

According to sources, both sides agreed during the contact that the MQM-P leadership would meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after his return from an ongoing visit to Saudi Arabia.

The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for MQM-P to present its concerns regarding the change in the provincial governorship. The party has complained that it had not been taken on board before the decision to remove its nominee from office.

Sources within the PML-N said the MQM-P had been assured that it remained an ally of the ruling party and that its reservations over the removal of the Sindh governor would be heard directly by the prime minister.

The schedule for the meeting would be finalised once the premier returns from Saudi Arabia.

According to sources, the PML-N might offer MQM-P an additional representation in the federal cabinet as part of efforts to ease tensions within the ruling coalition.

MQM-P is expected to present its formal position on the governor's removal during the meeting with the prime minister, while the party is also preparing to issue a detailed statement on the matter in the coming days.

PML-N sources maintained that, despite the controversy, MQM-P was not currently considering withdrawing from the federal government.

A senior PML-N leader said consultations had been ongoing between the PML-N and the PPP regarding the change of the Sindh governor.

According to the sources, the PPP had conveyed reservations about some of the recent activities and statements made by the governor. The concerns were communicated to the PML-N and may have contributed to the decision to replace him.

Meanwhile, newly sworn-in Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi said the MQM-P remained an ally of the PML-N and expressed confidence that differences between the coalition partners would be resolved.

Speaking to the media after taking the oath as Sindh governor and paying respects at the Mazar-e-Quaid, Hashmi said the ruling party would avoid engaging in divisive politics and instead focus on strengthening political cooperation.