KARACHI – The MQM on Sunday said all issues of contention with the government pertained to the federal level, therefore the party would not be leaving the Sindh government.
Addressing a press briefing outside the party headquarters, MQM spokesman Faisal Sabzwari said, “The Rabita Committee did not discuss tabling a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. We will not leave the coalition partnership in Sindh, because all issues we have relate to the federal government,” he said.
MNA Haider Abbas Rizvi said there was a difference between reconciliation and remaining in the government. “We dealt with the PPP at the party level, not at the government level. The reconciliation policy is also at the party level, not the government. Our doors are open to all political parties, and we are open to dialogue with anyone and everyone,” he said.
Sabzwari said the increase in prices of petroleum products at the start of 2011 broke the camel’s back, and the MQM was unwilling to act as a bystander while the masses suffered. A press release issued by the MQM added that the party was under pressure from its voters on the issue of price hike.
“The government seems to be tabling a mini budget everyday. There is extreme inflation on one hand, and on the other, the government wants to impose taxes on the poor of the country. Given the circumstances, there is a need to impose an agricultural tax. The government is also not taking any concrete measures to recover loans that were written off,” read the statement.
