Winds of change: MQM warms up to ruling PML-N
Weeks after walking out on its alliance with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has developed a strong working relationship with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and could join the federal cabinet in the coming days.
According to sources, the two parties have almost ironed out all issues between them. And by next early month, the MQM could become part of the federal government, the sources added.
Leaders of the MQM, however, did not confirm whether their party would ultimately become part of the federal government. They admitted that their party had developed better relations with the PML-N, as the ruling party had agreed to release development funds for projects in Karachi.
Last month, when MQM leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, he raised the issue of unfinished developmental projects in Karachi including the Lyari Expressway, and demanded that the premier take necessary action.
One party leader said that the MQM wants to work with the PML-N on a long term basis. “MQM may or may not be part of the federal government. Even if we don’t become part of the federal government, we will continue to work with the PML-N.”
Saying no to the Sindh govt
The MQM has dismissed speculation that it would be joining the PPP-led government in Sindh, saying that it could not even think of getting back with them.
This has not stopped the PPP from trying to bring the two parties on the same page again. Both PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and his party colleague Rehman Malik have been holding talks with Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad in a bid to win over the MQM. Yet the MQM says it will not consider becoming a part of the Sindh government again.
“The last time the MQM joined the Sindh government was based on a decision taken by the Rabita Committee and not by the MQM chief Altaf Hussain, who was displeased over it. This time if the Rabita Committee takes this decision, there will be a lot of resistance and opposition from within the party.”
The MQM leader said that since the party has left the provincial government, it has gotten a lot of public support and its disgruntled voters and supporters are returning to the party.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2014.
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unfortunately the major powers in Sind have squeezed or muscled out Indian background persons. Muhajirs are more service cadre. There is no option but to approach other forces who removed them from pakistan goverment 1958 onwards. It is a downward road,
@ M Amir Ch
can you name 1 instance or reported corruption by mqm senetor, MNA or MPA? can you point me, please... to one event where MQM was in sole power and misused its power?
it cannot be true. since MQM never had CM in sindh or PM in center. yes it was part of the government but not in POWER!!!
if you can not name any, my suggestion to you as a brother to retract your statements. because , maybe not here in this world, but in hereafter you have to prove what you have said in this world! no matter what!
MQM is only working for WEALTH and POWER. MQM can do anything for power and wealth for the sake of so called DEMOCRACY.
@zaman please elaborate on Mr Khan Cause. For 1 side he is for the creation of more province, but for SINDH, he said NO. dont tell me: he left it to sindh people. He left Kalabagh dam decision on sindh people. But for more province in SINDH, he said Straight NO without any explanation.
even he go by the people of sindh, we are also Sindhi, and we demanded more province atleast 4 in SINDH. we are people not merely numbers and live well within Pakistan Boundries.
Truth: Mr Khan would be a nice person and a good choice as a selfless guy. But he clearly has bad appples surrounding him, who tells him that SINDH cannot be divided because they need vote bank against mqm not against ppp. meaning: they want to capture ppp voters.
I hoped that at least mr khan would revise his statement about more province and take 1 more but small u turn.
You can be for more province, or you are against it. and how would you justify creating province elsewhere but not in SINDH..why?????
As long as a position on the cabinet doesn't compromise the MQM manifesto, and the Minister for x, does not become a "YES MAN" like the Minister for Information or the other nodders in the cabinet.
After 18th Amendment development funds are a priority of Provincial Govt not federal govt. MQM is asking for extra funds which Sindh Govt is not releasing for Karachi development.
@Karachiwala: Mr Khan is promoting a cause where he considers everyone equal,the only condition being that they live within the boundaries of Pakistan.
@zaman: @Taha N.: The concern here is the blackmailing nature of the Federal Government’s obligation to its Provinces: somewhat like a Father to Children relationship. Except the Father here has different rules for his relations and different rules for the Karachi-ittes. The funds are earmarked for the Province and should be with NO strings attached.
I am surprised about people above who at least would have some basic common sense and comprehend the true meaning of Politics. For the sake of Information: Its politics, not tribal culture or tribal cult.
In Politics, a winner is who, who manage to pursue, push forward and work through to achieve betterment (in pakistan case Peace) to its vote bank. Thats how they would be examined and thats how the ballot will work for them.
so if MQM joins or not join PML-N in their government, but keeps its tabs in place with pml-n to achieve prosperity for the masses in Karachi then whats wrong with ya all?
And for the sake of the argument "MQM can not sit in opposition" If it were the ideal situation, like in west, where oppositions does not become the victims of state terrorism. mqm would happily sit in opposition. but everybody knows, what happens to opposition in Pakistan. do not compare pml-n and ppp in opposition, 1 would have federal and the other would have provisional govt all the time. in 1990's when they were apart, some one name BB as corruption queen or NS got kicked out.
After all, there is 1+ carore people who have voted for pml-n. And mqm has no option but to honor and respect this mandate.
If Pakistan society would be just a tribal culture, then of course take the Imran Khan PTI-route.
@Taha N.: The concern here is the blackmailing nature of the Federal Government's obligation to its Provinces: somewhat like a Father to Children relationship.
Except the Father here has different rules for his relations and different rules for the Karachi-ittes.
The funds are earmarked for the Province and should be be strings attached.
@Taha N.: Good question, Taha! Karachi needs to be governed by its' residents free of the loot and plunder of bureaucracy and police imported from outside and imposed on Karachi. MQM has failed to achieve this objective in the last several years and has reconciled with the very forces opposed to giving self-governance to Karachi. Their objective in forming a coalition seems to be self-enrichment and self-interest at the expense of alienating Karachi's residents interests.
PPP doesn't care about Sindhi people so what Karachiites can expect from them. MQM shouldn't join the government but be pragmatic and get funds released to develop the areas which they represent.
Karachi generates the biggest chunk of the income of this country. But in return gets zero. If Karachi is getting funds in return then whats wrong with it? Did Lahore, Peshawar stand up for Karachi when her budget was frozen? No! Because their bread and butter was in run. Then why Karachi shouldn't snatch its rights by sitting in the government, if its the only way.
Wishful thinking, childish analogies. MQM takes pride in being a Parliamentary Party and practicing progressive politics. MQM has rendered countless sacrifices for the sake of democracy. But at the same time every action doesn't mean becoming a part of Govt. MQM on every stage has provided its input & suggestions which in the past have been appreciated by its opponents as well.
MQM should join Govt after all MQM is the 2nd largest party in Sindh and they got huge mandate of Sindh people so however the circumtancess they owe Population of Sindh and even people of sindh"s is last hope is only MQM.
Long term relationship will end in 2018
If the news is correct, it is an unwise step being taken by MQM
We have again been disappointed. Hope this will open the eyes of their blind supporters!
Pakistani style democracy.. share the govt and plunder the country After all, thieves make best friends
It will be a treat to watch the same set of people from these two parties who once were thrashing each other will now sing praises of each other. A special salute to their supporters for not being fooled yet again in the name of democracy!!
Thank you Imran khan. May be he did not think of it but this is the consequence of his complete lack of strategy.
Wonder why MQM waited for whole 16 months to take this inevitable action?
There is a name for such behavior but I cannot state it publicly. Some call it the world's oldest profession.
Law of Great Analogy: Fish out of water...and MQM out of power cant survive. PPP tested their blackmailing, now it is your turn PMLN :)
MQM is only the party which can't sit on opposition benches.. if in future biometric poling system introduced then such kind of politics would be axe by people.
What else do you expect from this rolling stone of a party ?
MQM can't live in opposition. They have to be part of either provincial of federal government.
Please join hands with PMLn and give them taste of your blackmailing.
Disappointing!
PLMN 's Federal government holding the Provincial Governments hostage by holding back development funds thereby depriving the provinces citizens is an immoral and unethical conduct to be frowned upon
MQM will do anything for power.