Reconciliation: ‘Opposition benches are part of democratic process’

Sharmila Farooqui says that to sit on the opposition benches or to come into power are part of the democratic process.

KARACHI: Adviser to Sindh chief minister on information and archives Sharmila Farooqui said that to sit on the opposition benches or to come into power are part of the democratic process.

All political parties should democratically approach the situation, vow not to harm the political process and discourage any undemocratic move, she said while talking to the media in her office on Monday.

Farooqui said the decision to increase fuel prices was taken due to unavoidable circumstances and added that other countries were also facing similar problems.

Referring to the strained relations between Pakistan Peoples Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), she said that the government was sincere and serious about addressing the reservations of the MQM. The government will address these reservations soon, she said. The adviser also said that the present democratic government was following the political reconciliation policy and all coalition partners will be taken on board.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2011.