Sindh Assembly walkout: Zardari wants MQM-PPP alliance to remain intact

KARACHI:

Following the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) walkout from the in-camera session of the Sindh Assembly, President Asif Ali Zardari called on Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan to resolve the issue amicably.

According to sources within the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the president reiterated that the PPP would not let MQM to part ways with government, seemingly because Zardari wants to continue the alliance between the parties even after upcoming general election.

Governor Khan promptly reached Bilawal House to meet with the president to discuss the concerns.

President Zardari was also briefed on the cases against activists of the defunct Peoples’ Aman Committee (PAC), according to sources. The MQM’s stand against this recent development has created resentment among PPP circles.

“Cases lodged against Zafar Baloch, a PPP leader in Lyari who is also a PAC activist, and some other people, have been disposed of. This has irked the MQM,” sources said, adding that government is considering the withdrawal of cases against Uzair Jan Baloch, head of defunct PAC, who challenged his own party. Currently, the MQM is opposing the decision.

The President asked Chief Minister Shah to reconsider the decision and turn down another summary moved by the law department.

“We are diehard PPP workers. These are politically motivated cases against us. We have nothing to do with criminal activities. The cases have been withdrawn against me and our senior party leaders have assured us that other cases against innocent people from Lyari will also be disposed of soon,” Zafar Baloch, the former security in-charge of Bilawal House, told The Express Tribune.

The president also took strong exception to the recent killing spree in the Karachi and directed Shah to make every effort to maintain peace in the city. He said that strict action must be taken against all criminals involved with the violence.

Ashraf calls on Zardari

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf also met President Asif Ali Zardari tonight at Bilawal House in Karachi. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was present during the meeting as well.

Ashraf briefed Zardari on his visit to the United Kingdom where he met his British counterpart, Prime Minister David Cameron, and held meetings with delegations from the Pakistani community, UK-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and others.

Furthermore, the president and the premier decided to initiate next week the process of parleys with coalition partners, opposition, and other political parties over the announcement of final dates of elections and the caretaker setup.

Ashraf also briefed President Zardari on the letter being sent to the opposition leader for holding talks on putting in place the interim set up before the next polls.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2013.