MQM set to rejoin PPP-led Pak coalition govt
By ANIFriday, January 7, 2011
KARACHI - Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the estranged ally of the Pakistan People’s Party, has expressed its willingness to rejoin the PPP-led government if Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani takes concrete steps to remove its reservations.
In its Coordination Committee’s joint meeting, MQM discussed the party strategy in view of Gilani’s expected visit to party headquarters ‘Nine Zero’ on Friday, and it was decided that the party would rejoin the coalition government and would not let the premier return empty-handed, Geo News reported.
Meanwhile, Gilani arrived in Karachi on Thursday night, and was due to visit Nine Zero today in a bid to save his crumbling government, it added.
The PM is expected to make some important announcements at the MQM headquarters, according to sources.
After announcing the withdrawal of the petroleum price hikes, the PPP-led government is hoping that the MQM will review its decision of sitting on the opposition benches.
Gilani will achieve an important milestone if he succeeds to win back the support of the MQM, which has 25 seats in the National Assembly and six in the Senate.
The PPP has already geared up its efforts to save its government at the Centre, as Interior Minister Rehman Malik has been in touch with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan to remove the MQM’s reservations.
Malik had been making calls to MQM chief Altaf Hussain from the Governor House, but all such contacts were being kept secret, sources said.
According to the report, a two-member committee comprising Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Rehman Malik, constituted by President Asif Ali Zardari to woo the MQM, is keeping the president informed about the latest developments. (ANI)
