File photo of the national assembly. PHOTO: APP/FILE
As its key ally MQM withdrew its support from validating governor’s rule in Balochistan, the government was compelled to postpone the February 6 scheduled joint session of the Parliament, The Express Tribune has learnt.
According to sources, the Karachi-based-party is annoyed over the fresh wave of violence in the metropolis, while statements from Interior Minister Rehman Malik further added fuel to the fire when he warned the city dwellers of a bloody February.
They added that MQM conveyed its concerns to the PPP-led government and made it clear that without addressing them, its leadership will neither hold a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari in London, nor will it support the government in the validation of the governor’s rule in the joint session.
Following these developments, PPP had no option but to postpone the session.
A statement released by the MQM secretariat on Saturday said that the Rabita committee decided that party chief Altaf Hussain will not hold any formal meetings with PPP unless the two parties reach a consensus to resolve differences over issues of public importance.
Moreover, fiercely opposing the imposition of governor’s rule in Balochistan, JUI-F and Balochistan National Party (BNP) contacted other political factions to denounce the validation of the governor’s rule in the joint session.
In this regard, Maulana Fazlur Rehman contacted MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Saturday and sources said that the two leaders discussed political issues, including governor’s rule in Balochistan.
ANP senator Haji Muhammad Adeel confirmed that JUI-F senator Mohammad Khan Shirani contacted his party and wanted to hold a meeting, which was not possible as most of the ANP leaders are currently in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa.
Confirming the development, Maulana Shirani said that his party will approach all democratic parties to gather support against governor’s rule.
Commenting on the delay of the joint session, Presidential Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that he only came to know of it from PPP leader Khursheed Shah and was unaware about the reasons behind the move.
Babar also said that he did not know of any differences between the government and the MQM.
On validating governor’s rule, he said, “we have sufficient time to validate it from the joint session, which is mandatory.” However, he said that the matter is not important as the term of the existing assemblies will soon be over.
MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi said that he is not in touch with political affairs for the last three days due to death of his sister. Despite repeated attempt, MQM leader Farooq Sattar could not be contacted.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2013.
COMMENTS (8)
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MQM always see there won interest, they do not care about people.
Every Shia (and they are 1 every 5th person) who used to vote for MQM in name of religious harmony would backfire against MQM... dare to try appeasing these mullahs, Mr. Altaf Hussain and you be toasted by your very loyal vote bank.
Now,MQM should forget it's shia vote bank from Karachi.
If MQM will not validate this governer rule that will be a huge sin and people will make them pay in polling stations and streets.
Great Move my MQM. PPP has used them a lot for its cause now time for MQM to demand the much desereved respect for its mandate.
True democratic party with liberal mindset. A ray of hope for middle-class & minorities in Pakistan
MQM should also not support Tax Amnesty schemes as it is agaist the principled stand of MQM MQM is a party of middle class people and works for the interest of citizens
Only work for ur interests people are not important for you.