KARACHI:
The PML-N leadership in Sindh has expressed its reservations over a possible alliance of their party with the MQM.
Friday’s visit of a PML N delegation, led by Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, to the MQM headquarters Nine Zero has sparked a debate within the PML –N’s provincial leadership.
Mumtaz Bhutto, who has merged his Sindh National Front with the PML-N, Ghous Ali Shah, who heads the PML-N Sindh chapter, MPA Liaquat Ali Jatoi Shafi Jamote and MNA Hakeem Baloch expressed their concerns over the development.
“There is nothing wrong with visiting Nine Zero to seek support for the presidential candidate, but we will not accept if our party makes an alliance with the MQM without consulting us,” said Baloch, who had quit the PPP to join the PML-N.
“I parted ways with the PPP because of this kind of approach. There will be no difference between the PML-N and the PPP if the former continues its policy by sidelining its workers and leaders in Sindh,” he added.
Ghous Ali Shah, who was earlier tipped as the PML-N’s presidential candidate, said: “We will accept whatever decision is made by the party; but some of our party leaders and workers are asking why decisions are being made without proper consultations.”
He added that they were not against the party decision to invite the MQM to join the federal government, but this should have been done after proper intra-party consultations.
Sources in the party said the PML-N team before arriving in Karachi had contacted Shah to inform him about their planned visit to Nine Zero, but he (Shah) excused himself, by saying that he was not feeling good.
On the other hand, a meeting was scheduled between the PML-N delegation and PML-F chief Pir Pagara, but the latter refused to meet them following reports of their planned visit to Nine Zero.
Quoting Pir Pagara, a PML-F leader said, “We are a coalition partner of the PML-N government; therefore it must consult us on every issue pertaining to Sindh, otherwise our partnership is meaningless.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for Raja House (residence of Pir Pagara) said, “The PML-N leaders wanted to meet on Friday, a day before their scheduled meeting, but Pir Sahib excused himself.”
Apart from this, Mumtaz Bhutto has reportedly called a meeting of his old party leaders on July 30 to devise a future line of action. “Many party leaders are insisting to restore our own party instead of sitting with PML-N,” one of the close aides of Mumtaz Bhutto said, adding that an important decision was likely to be made on July 30 as the PML N-leadership was continuously ignoring Mumtaz Bhutto after the general elections.
On the other hand, Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said the PML-N has not yet invited the MQM to join the federal government and that the latter has announced ‘unconditional’ support for Mamnoon Hussain.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2013.
COMMENTS (30)
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Pakistan is facing acute shortage of BURNOL after PMLN offered an olive branch to MQM. The PTI trolls are suffering from memory lapse when not long ago, their Lifetime Chairman was getting MQM's support. Since the election day, the Lifetime Chairman PTI has lost his balance and now his trolls are burning with jealousy! Democracy is the best revenge!
Good decision by PML N. People of Karachi have only suffered at the hand of PPP led government. I hope that this alliance may give at least peace to the people of Karachi. MQM should also deliver or perish in next election.
Sharif has shot himself in the foot. There is nothing like "unconditional support" in politics. Sharif will have to pay heavily for this foolhardiness.
these coalition partners must part ways with PMLN if they are sincere with their people, otherwise they should stop beating the dead horse
The move made by PML(N) just to send a signal to the Pakistan Peoples Party that they can use MQM any time against them, is shocking enough. But they lost their capability. I am afraid about the only hope, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, for the venerable people of Pakistan; will they do the same when they come into power that PML(N) did???
salm to mumtaz bhutto what he will do NAWAZ has demaged the idiology of mutaz bhutto as well as the sindhi people.good play by nawaz shareef after meeting with MQM
Where are Sindhi nationalists. They should now look at their hero (nawaz sharif) and get inspiration from him
Mian saheb should learn the lesson from PPPP. they were defeated due to MQM and JUI F. now Mian Nawaz Sharif saheb doing same. voters of PML N will not accept MQM and JUI F in Govt at any shape, when you have mejority then why you need MQM and JUI F.
How Nawaz sharif is going to face Punjabis, who he represents!
PML-N please stop flirting MQM & JUI-F. I wish if all the political forces work together to root out these two blackmailers
Nawaz Sharif will never learn, he forgot the attitude of MQM with last government that just ended three months back.
When one reads the names of PML-N allies, one wonders as how can this motley bunch have objections to MQM joining........... just sounds funny.
no difference between ppp and pml(n)..
Altaf bhai's crusade No. 101 against feudal lords and landed aristocracy Mian Nawaz Sharif initiative to get KARACHI rid of targeted killings, extortion mafia and terrorists: Take 3
For people who thought PML(N) will this time build a 'Roshan Pakistan' I can only say, Old habbits die hard.
Just goes to show that status quo parties cannot be expected to change their ways. Thats why a change is very much needed now.
@PTI fan Karachi:
I voted for PTI but I disagree. Seeing their attitude as the govt in KPK shows me that they're only good for whining and talking with extremists. I know that MQM has too many things wrong with it but they're the only secular party capable of getting something done if they put their mind to it.
Mum tax Bhutto and pir pagara should leave PML (N)
We coddemn this move bu power hungry PML(N).
Voters of PML should join PTI now. PML is no different from PPP.
This will prove costly for PML. PML's voters will never accept this decision taken by party heads without consultation
Biggest mistake by PML (N). Now I think I wasted my vote
It is good move to strengthen the federation.
Same old same old from PMLN
Urdu and Sindhis speakers should join PTI because it is the last hope for Sindh and Pakistan.
Mr. Mumtaz Bhutto n PML-F objections are not even valid but carry weight. PML-N (irrespective of it's majority) should give due respect n pre-consult with it's alliances. Last minute informing it's alliance create doubts n country cannot afford such steps.
doomed day for PMLn......
An unholy alliance.....!!!!
FYI ET, Mumtaz Bhutto is not an ally of PMLN, he has merged his party in Nawaz Sharif's!
Correction required, Liaqut Ali Jatoi is not a MPA.