Durrani hopeful PPP, MQM negotiations will bear 'good news' soon

Durrani says neither party has failed in its objective and hopes should not be pinned on one meeting.

KARACHI: Though the recent meeting between leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in UAE failed to evolve consensus on a coalition partnership in Sindh, the acting governor Sindh Agha Siraj Durrani said he was hopeful people will hear the good news soon.

“Both the parties have not failed in their objectives and negotiation will yield results,” a hopeful Durrani said after inaugurating the Urs of Abdullah Shah Ghazi near Karachi’s seafront on Saturday.

The saint, who’s shrine is frequented by devotees from far off places, may become a source of hope for the PPP to woo the MQM to join their government in Sindh.

On Friday, PPP leader and Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon denied that the party discussed MQM’s possible journey from the opposition benches onto the treasury benches in the Sindh assembly. Senior PPP leader Senator Rehman Malik too had denied that the Dubai meeting focused on MQM joining the government.

The MQM had simultaneously denied it was contemplating joining the Sindh government.

Durrani, who is the speaker of Sindh Assembly, added that one should not pin hopes on the first meeting, but subsequent negotiations could bear fruit.

“More meetings are also likely between both the parties to overcome the differences,” he said adding that PPP believes in reconciliation policy and wants to take all other parties on different issues.

Responding to a question on local government elections and proposal to make new districts in the province, he said that all major stakeholders would be taken into confidence before any major decision.

Regarding construction at Abdul Shah Ghazi complex, the acting governor said the complex would be completed within a year. “Government will install elevator soon to carry the elderly and disabled people to top of the mazaar.”