MQM parts ways with PPP, quits Sindh govt

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) announced on Sunday evening to quit  the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led Sindh coalition government, Express News reported.

Addressing the media at MQM headquarters Nine-Zero after an emergency of MQM Rabita committee, the committee's deputy convener, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said his party had put its credibility at stake for the sake of stability and continuation of democracy but now it feels that further supporting the PPP would be tantamount to weakening Pakistan.

Referring to PPP leader Khursheed Shah’s Friday statement wherein he referred to ‘Muhajir’ as a 'pejorative' term, Siddiqui said answer to his statement will be the formation of new province in Sindh.

The MQM leader claimed that due to the PPP’s politics of hatred, Sindh has been divided into Sindh-one and Sindh-two.

"We were promised that after the 18th amendment in the Constitution, the powers will be transferred to grass root level, but instead of empowering people, the Sindh government took all the power in its hand," said Siddiqui.

He added that the PPP government in Sindh had converted Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and Karachi Building Control Authority into Sindh Water and Sewerage Board and Sindh Building Control Authority.

Decrying the lack of funds for urban Sindh under PPP’s regime, Muttahida leader said the provincial government had given only 2% of provincial share to urban Sindh.

Referring to PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s speech at Mazaar-e-Quaid on Saturday, the party leader said the young chairman had levelled baseless allegations against MQM chief Altaf Hussain, and there was no reason why the MQM should remain a part of the Sindh government.

Questioning the eligibility of Bilawal as PPP chairman, the MQM leader said, “Please tell us your qualifications that you have become the chairman of PPP.”

“If PPP believes in dynastic politics, then its chairman should be a ‘Bhutto’ not a ‘Zardari’," he added.

Claiming that MQM’s demand for the creation of new provinces in the country was aimed at making the administration better, Siddiqui said the party will not back out from its demand.

PPP urges MQM to reconsider its decision

Addressing a press conference early on Monday, PPP leader Sharjeel Memon said the party's tolerance should not be taken as a weakness.

"We can respond to any allegation, but our leadership believes in politics of reconciliation."

Urging Muttahida to reconsider its decision to leave the PPP-led Sindh government, Memon said he hoped the MQM would not take any irrational decision.

He also criticised the MQM leadership for manipulating the statement of Khursheed Shah.

"Shah's statement should not have been mentioned as he already clarified it and tendered an unconditional apology."

Regarding Bilalwal, the PPP leader said, “PPP’s chairmanship is not a bed of roses and we are proud that our chairman is in Pakistan, among his own people.”