ISLAMABAD – In a dramatic development, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Monday moved one step closer to leaving the coalition government as both its federal ministers decided to resign.
Per details, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar and Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Ghauri have decided to quit the federal cabinet to protest the government’s failure to fulfil its commitments. The decision was taken at a MQM Rabita Committee meeting held simultaneously in London and Karachi on the culmination of the 10-day deadline given by the committee’s last meeting after Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s objectionable remarks about the MQM’s alleged involvement in target killings in Karachi.
However, MQM central leader Haider Abbas Rizvi told reporters that the party would not sit on the opposition benches at the Centre. It would also continue to be part of the provincial government. According to political analysts, the party has initially decided to separate from the federal cabinet to put pressure on the PPP. Rizvi, however, denied that the decision was a pressure tactic or a blackmailing attempt.
Talking to Pakistan Today, MQM leader Raza Haroon said the decision was taken after the Sindh government decided to restore the commissioner system in the province while President Asif Zardari had assured an MQM delegation that no important decision-making would be made without consulting the MQM.
Asked whether the decision to resign was made in view of another of Mirza’s statement against the MQM, Haroon said Mirza was only an individual and not so important. “Mirza does not even matter. The issue is that the PPP leadership made commitments time and again but no practical steps had been taken by them which could convince us to stay in the coalition,” he added. Faisal Sabzwari, another MQM leader, said his party’s ministers were tendering resignations but would sit on the treasury benches to provide the government space to resolve issues of public interest.
“However, if the government fails to resolve public issues, the Rabita Committee will then decide the fate of MQM’s alliance with the federal and provincial governments,” he added. He brushed aside the notion that his party wanted to pressurise the government and said the decision to sit on the treasury benches for the time being was taken not to derail the democratic government.
He said the MQM was also answerable to the masses as it was a pro-people’s party and its MPs were answerable to the people. Minister for Religious Affairs Khurshid Shah said the PPP leadership was analysing the MQM decision and a strategy would be finalised after thorough discussion. On the other hand, President Asif Ali Zardari has tasked Interior Minister Rehman Malik to coordinate with the MQM regarding their latest decision.
While sitting on the treasury benches, the MQM ministers’ resignations look more of a political gimmick to build pressure on a fragile government which has already suffered a similar but rude shock from the JUI-F which has not only pulled its ministers from the federal cabinet but also parted ways with the government.
The MQM move also aims at attracting media’s attention and those criticising the government on various counts including its growing misconduct, mismanagement and massive corruption. In a House of 342, the MQM is the fourth largest party with 25 members and the numbers-weak coalition can fall instantly if the MQM announces to also part ways with the government.
Similarly, the government will also lose majority in the Senate where it has support of six MQM members.
