LAHORE – The PPP leadership is optimistic about settling issues with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the coalition partner’s return to the federal cabinet.
“We are hopeful of removing MQM’s concerns,” Federal Law Minister Babar Awan said on Tuesday. Awan said that MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s grievances were genuine and he fully agreed with the MQM leadership. MQM had expressed its concern over the socio-economic problems of the people and the government had similar views, he added.
Awan said the government was determined to solve the problems of the masses in the next two years. “Difference of opinion is part of the democratic process and we do not believe in policy of dictation,” he said, adding that the government was in no haste and would complete its tenure.
Minister for Labour and Religious Affairs Syed Khurshid Shah said the PPP leadership was mulling over MQM’s decision to quit the federal government, adding that his party would soon clarify its viewpoint on the issue. He said the PPP wanted to continue politics of reconciliation and hoped that the breaches in the coalition would be repaired through dialogue soon.
PPP Information Secretary Fauzia Wahab said the party was in contact with the MQM leadership and the issue would be resolved amicably. However, she made it clear that her party would not initiate any step that could destabilise democracy.
Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said the PPP had devised a strategy to bring MQM back into the government, adding that the government was in no danger. PPP Punjab President and State Minister for Communications Imtiaz Safdar Warraich said the elements who were trying to manipulate the differences between the PPP and MQM would not succeed.
He said their attempts were not against the PPP, rather they were trying to derail the democratic system. To a query about the government’s plans to settle differences with the MQM, Warraich said the party strongly believed in democracy and politics of reconciliation, so it would try its best to resolve the issue through negotiations.
