Cold war among institutions: Altaf Hussain urges PM to play his role

Requests PM to address existing chaos, by appearing in the NA and Senate.

KARACHI: Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has ‘earnestly’ appealed to the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to play his role as the head of the government in steering the country out of the ‘present crisis’. 

In a statement issued to media on Sunday, the MQM chief said the country was facing internal divide rather than an external threat. He urged the PM to immediately intervene to address the existing chaos, by appearing in the National Assembly and Senate or calling an All Parties Conference.

“I repeat it again and again that [as] Nawaz Sharif is holding one of the most important offices, i.e., that of prime minister, he should act according to his stature and [fulfill] his responsibility. He should not abandon his people at this juncture and should come forward to lead them,” Altaf said.

He requested the premier to bring an end to the ‘cold war’ among institutions, adding that Pakistan had attained democracy after great sacrifices ‘and all of us will be responsible if, God forbid, anything bad happens to democracy’.

“Our country is already propped up on very weak crutches. At this time, there is an utmost need for national consensus, unity and harmony among institutions,” he added.

He hoped that the PM and his aides would consider his ‘suggestions’ on urgent basis and would play his role in bringing the country out of the existing crisis as ‘one of the most responsible officials of the country and head of the ruling party’.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2014.