Altaf asks Ebad to revert decision to resign as Sindh governor

MQM chief tells Ebad of the messages conveyed by President Zardari through Rehman Malik.

LONDON: Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Wednesday advised Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad to withdraw his resignation and resume his responsibilities.

Altaf called Ebad from London and asked the Governor to reconsider his resignation in light of requests made by people belonging to the business community, religious scholars and from different walks of life, a statement from the party read.

Matters have been at a head after Ebad departed for Dubai earlier in the week on account of his health, but not before he had sent his resignation to the President. The move came in wake of MQM’s decision last week to quit the coalition government led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and sit in the opposition. The PPP said that back channel talks were underway to get the MQM to reverse their decision.

Altaf told Ebad that although he had tendered his resignation voluntarily, there was a persistent demand from members of the business community, religious scholars, and people belonging to different spheres of life that he should be asked to take his resignation back.

The MQM chief further told the Governor that Interior Minister Rehman Malik too had conveyed messages from President Zardari and other government personalities that even though the MQM was free in its political decisions to sit in the opposition, yet Governor Ebad should be asked to continue in the larger interest of Sindh and Pakistan.