KARACHI – In what is being viewed as a major development in PPP-MQM ties, Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza – whose tirade against the MQM had strained relations between the two parties – visited MQM headquarters Nine-Zero on Friday. He was accompanied by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and provincial Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani.
The PPP delegation was welcomed by MQM Rabita Committee Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar, who especially greeted Dr Mirza and said that it is time to renew the promise that was made three years ago. “The two parties [the PPP and the MQM] need to continue cooperating in order to strengthen the country,” he said. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan was also present on the occasion.
Sources said that the meeting between the two sides is a major breakthrough in the PPP and MQM relations and the latter might join the federal cabinet soon. Dr Mirza, known for his verbal assaults on the MQM, had offended the latter to the extent that it was demanding his ouster. Speaking to the media at Nine-Zero, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that MQM chief Altaf Hussain has always extended his support to the government in the face of a crisis.
“Both parties will face challenges with unity,” he added. He said that the federal and Sindh governments are united on every issue and are working together. “The PPP will support the MQM in contesting elections throughout the country. The alliance of the PPP and the MQM will continue across the country because President Asif Ali Zardari and MQM chief Altaf Hussain want peace,” Malik said.
Malik said that there should be no politics on the Raymond Davis issue and all documents related to the case would be presented in the court if demanded by the judiciary.
