Rumour has it that Fahim is set to join an 'anti-PPP' group, comprising members of the Muttahida Qoumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), among others. This prompted two senior PPP leaders -- Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah and former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf -- to hold a meeting with Fahim on Saturday at his residence in Karachi.
Both leaders confirmed that the meeting between Musharraf and Fahim took place; however, they insisted they met the PPP leader to discuss 'another agenda'.
“Our meeting was scheduled four days ago,” said Khursheed Shah. Makhdoom Sb is still a PPP Jiyala... He has no differences, and everyone has a right to meet anyone.”
Shah said it was not the first meeting between a PPP leader and Musharraf and pointed out that former premier Benazir Bhutto had also met the former military ruler before returning to Pakistan in 2007. He added that Fahim and his family had rendered great scarifies for the party and do not need permission to meet anyone.
When asked about differences within the PPP, especially between chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his father Asif Ali Zardari, Shah said, “They have no serious differences. Both can have a difference of opinion on personal matters, but have agreement with regards to party affairs. “Some sections of the media have created a hype by running such stories.”
There were also reports that Ashraf had also held a meeting with Musharraf. Commenting on this, the opposition leader said, "He cannot meet a dictator who toppled a democratic government."
Speaking on the occasion, former premier Ashraf also denied meeting Musharraf.
“Today, we have come here to hold meeting on the request of Fahim. The party is united,” he said.
A meeting between Fahim and Musharraf was held in the presence of PML-F Leader Pir Pagara on Friday in Karachi, and according to sources, Pir Pagara played the role of facilitator between the two.
Some PPP leaders argued Fahim was mounting pressure on the party leadership in hopes of securing an important position in the upcoming set-up.
Some reports also suggest that Fahim has decided to part ways with the party after being constantly sidelined.
“He was neither made the opposition leader in the National Assembly nor was his son inducted in the Sindh government as a chief minister, which was promised by Benazir Bhutto,” a senior PPP leader and close aide of the PPP stalwart told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity.
Recent differences have emerged following a PPP convention held in Lahore, where Zardari criticised many senior leaders, advising them to leave the party, added the sources.
Further, the former president had appointed Sherry Rehman as vice president of PPP a while ago, without the consultation of Fahim, who reportedly expressed reservations over the decision.
Fahim convenes meeting of Sarwari Jamaat
Meanwhile, Fahim, who is also the spiritual leader of the Sarwari Jamaat, has convened a meeting of the group in Hala on Tuesday to review ties with the PPP.
Khalifas (leaders) of his Jamaat from across the province are expected to turn up at the meeting.
The stated agenda of the meeting is to devise a plan for observing the 11th death anniversary of Makhdoom Talibul Mola, father of Amin Fahim who was close friend of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and renowned poet of his time. However, sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune that the Jamaat is also expected review its 45 year long relation with the PPP.
A big public gathering will be held where spiritual leaders of other gadis, including Pir Pagara of the Hur Jamaat and Shah Mehmood Qureshi would be invited, added sources.
COMMENTS (8)
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He has been sidelined many times and its best he leave PPP to join a decent party.
"nor was his son inducted in the Sindh government as a chief minister,"
Talk about a sense of entitlement. That statement, said as if there is absolutely nothing wrong with such blatant corruption, shows just how warped the minds of these so called "leaders" really are. It is the google definition of Nepotism;
nep·o·tism ˈnepəˌtizəm noun
the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs.
ET: “He was neither made the opposition leader in the National Assembly nor was his son inducted in the Sindh government as a chief minister, which was promised by Benazir Bhutto...
NOR MADE PM as Asif zardari promised at Naudero after BB's assasination
"makhdoom sahab would be the prime minister".....
All is fair in love and politics........Amin Faheem is a survivor .
Does it make a difference if some jiyala or leader leaves or join ppp? The party is dead in punjab,kpk, balochistan and karachi.In rural sind it is struggling and slowly proceeding its logical conclusion....once upon a time there was a peoples party.It will end up even worse than congress in India.
There is no honor among PPP. Thieves having problems.
the opposition leader said, “He cannot meet a dictator who toppled a democratic government.”
So when PPP's founder and Chairman used to call Field Marshall Ayub Khan his "daddy," and Ayub used to call him "Zulfi," was Ayub not a dictator and usurper of power??? "Zulfi" faithfully served his boss for 10 years until Ayub became unpopular and his political demise was imminent. Either Khurshid Shah Sahib has no grasp of history or he has no shame to be making a statement he made.
Stick with democracy and this will happen. The bad apples will become blatantly bad and their parties will die and be replaced by ones they are build by and for the people. People are realizing THEY are the ones that can bring change, the army and the leaders will only do things when people push them. I implore the people to question their leaders and to push the incompetent ones out, doesnt matter if their names end with a Bhutto or Sharif. The next decade or so is very crucial for Pakistan...it could determine if we will survive and flourish for next 200 years or break apart in lots of small countries.