Playing games?: PML-N refuses to recognise MQM as opposition party

Nisar describes party’s move as opportunism.

ISLAMABAD:

A day after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) bade farewell to the ruling alliance to occupy opposition benches in assemblies, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has refused to recognise it as a part of the opposition.

“MQM’s parting of ways from the ruling coalition, after enjoying the government for four years and 11 months, is nothing short of a joke,” said Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

On Saturday, the MQM had said that its separation from the ruling coalition was triggered by the PPP’s decision to withdraw cases against the ‘Lyari criminals’ of Karachi, who according to MQM Deputy Convener Farooq Sattar, were “killing Urdu-speaking citizens.”

The abrupt move, however, is bound to put MQM in a favourable position in Sindh, as it will be able to dominate the opposition in the province. Furthermore, MQM’s tilt will divide the opposition at the centre – breaking PML-N’s monopoly, and promising the former party a greater say in the caretaker setup.

“I do not recognise the MQM as part of the opposition,” Nisar told a press conference, adding that other opposition parties were on the same page with the PML-N.



“The MQM will not get representation in parliamentary panel for the appointment of caretakers at the centre since the move is against the spirit of the 20th Constitutional Amendment,” said Nisar. The 20th Amendment, passed in February, had defined the procedure for appointment of caretaker government at the centre and in the provinces.

Sindh, the jackpot

While talking about MQM’s potential role as the main opposition in Sindh Assembly, and the PML-N’s stance towards such a development, Nisar said that the decision would be taken after consultation with other stakeholders during PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Sindh. Nawaz is scheduled to travel to Karachi on February 23 where he would be meeting PML-F chief Pir Pagaro and 11 other parties for an alliance, he added.

Furthermore, Nisar referred to a court decision on his party’s petition that asked the Sindh government to appoint an opposition leader during a certain time period. “The MQM has announced its decision just when the time period was coming to an end, which clearly reflects its intentions.”

“We will approach the court for interpretation of the 20th Amendment, which the MQM has breached by its move,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2013.