PPP, MQM-P bury the hatchet, join hands

MQM says ties with PPP soured after PML-N reneged on its promises after elections

KARACHI:

In a major breakthrough, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) resolved on Wednesday to put past grievances behind them, ending the deadlock between the two parties.

Insiders privy to the development told The Express Tribune that a meeting held between President Asif Ali Zardari and a delegation from MQM-P took place in an atmosphere of cordiality.

Led by Federal Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, the MQM delegation convened with President Asif Ali Zardari at the Chief Minister House, extending felicitations on his second term as president.

Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal accompanied Siddiqui, the party's convenor. The gathering also saw the presence of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

President Zardari affirmed a commitment to inclusive governance and stressed the importance of engaging all stakeholders in government affairs. In response, the MQM delegation pledged cooperation.

However, the MQM took the opportunity to voice discontentment with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), saying it changed its political strategy due to unfulfilled promises made by the PML-N before the elections.

According to sources within the MQM, there is considerable discontentment towards the PML-N, as agreements reached with them before the elections have not been honored despite its sincerity in dealings with the ruling party.

The party bemoaned the fact that, due to the PML-N's actions, relations with the PPP also soured, sources added.

MQM leaders, as per the sources, expressed frustration with what they perceive as the PML-N's reliance on centralized control. They stated, "The PML-N seems to believe that placing all authority in one person's hands will resolve everything."

Furthermore, the MQM delegation conveyed their intention to forge enduring alliances with the PPP and other political entities.

Meanwhile, expressing apprehension about rising street crime in the city, the MQM raised the issue with President Asif Ali Zardari, who directed the interior minister to promptly address the matter.