Of handshakes & cold shoulders: ‘It’s too early to say if MQM will join the govt’
Some leaders of the party remain tight-lipped while others concede that this is a real possibility.
"In the last five years, we couldn’t do much for the people and there is resentment among them," The deputy convener of MQM’s Rabita Committee, Nasir Jamal. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Former interior minister and Pakistan Peoples Party’s trouble-shooter Rehman Malik is likely to visit the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) headquarters today to do what he does best - woo the disgruntled.
But the MQM is expected to give a tough time to PPP, claiming that it has no desire to join the provincial government as yet. After the governor met the chief minister recently, the speculation began with some placing their bets on the MQM leaving the opposition benches to sit with the provincial government.
The deputy convener of MQM’s Rabita Committee, Nasir Jamal, told The Express Tribune that as of now, the party has no wish to become a part of the government. He added that it was the PPP which was offering MQM power. “In the last five years, we couldn’t do much for the people and there is resentment amongst them. We don’t want to carry the excessive baggage of PPP again.”
However, Jamal didn’t deny the possibility that his party could be PPP’s coalition partner in the provincial government for the next five years. In fact people within the party say the MQM - which is currently in the opposition - is most likely to become part of the provincial government within a week. But before that, the MQM is expected to give PPP a tough time, laying down its own conditions.
This includes demanding the home ministry which had been with the Zardari-led party in the last government.
The MQM is also expected to raise concerns with the provincial government over the disappearance and killing of its activists. Some discussion on a local body system is also expected.
Jamal said the decision of whether to join the provincial government or not would be taken after the party leaders and their activists have all had their say.
Meanwhile, other MQM leaders such as Rabita Committee member Haider Abbas Rizvi, remained tight-lipped on the talks between the two parties.
“It is too early to say that the MQM is going to be part of the Sindh government. This is a long process and would require time. We have serious reservations on certain points.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 16th, 2013.
Former interior minister and Pakistan Peoples Party’s trouble-shooter Rehman Malik is likely to visit the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) headquarters today to do what he does best - woo the disgruntled.
But the MQM is expected to give a tough time to PPP, claiming that it has no desire to join the provincial government as yet. After the governor met the chief minister recently, the speculation began with some placing their bets on the MQM leaving the opposition benches to sit with the provincial government.
The deputy convener of MQM’s Rabita Committee, Nasir Jamal, told The Express Tribune that as of now, the party has no wish to become a part of the government. He added that it was the PPP which was offering MQM power. “In the last five years, we couldn’t do much for the people and there is resentment amongst them. We don’t want to carry the excessive baggage of PPP again.”
However, Jamal didn’t deny the possibility that his party could be PPP’s coalition partner in the provincial government for the next five years. In fact people within the party say the MQM - which is currently in the opposition - is most likely to become part of the provincial government within a week. But before that, the MQM is expected to give PPP a tough time, laying down its own conditions.
This includes demanding the home ministry which had been with the Zardari-led party in the last government.
The MQM is also expected to raise concerns with the provincial government over the disappearance and killing of its activists. Some discussion on a local body system is also expected.
Jamal said the decision of whether to join the provincial government or not would be taken after the party leaders and their activists have all had their say.
Meanwhile, other MQM leaders such as Rabita Committee member Haider Abbas Rizvi, remained tight-lipped on the talks between the two parties.
“It is too early to say that the MQM is going to be part of the Sindh government. This is a long process and would require time. We have serious reservations on certain points.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 16th, 2013.