The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said on Monday it was quitting the federal and provincial governments, citing the “dictatorial” and “brutal” approach of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
The departure of the MQM leaves the PPP with 207 seats in parliament and a slender majority. The MQM’s decision to quit the coalition government came in reaction to the postponement of elections on two seats for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly with the former coalition partner accusing the PPP of “forcing” it to withdraw from the elections.
Announcing the decision in a press conference at Nine Zero, leader of the MQM Coordination Committee and federal minister Farooq Sattar said, “All members of the Coordination Committee, senators, and members of the national and provincial assemblies have reached a decision that keeping in view the autocratic actions of the PPP government, it has become impossible for the party to continue with the government that has no qualms in taking oppressive and dictatorial actions against its own allied party.
The MQM announces to separate from the PPP government respecting the opinion of the workers and members of the public. We will sit on the opposition benches at the federal and provincial level. Likewise Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan will also resign from his office.” Sattar said the PPP leadership made several promises when entering into an alliance with the MQM but the promises were never fulfilled.
It’s over between us, MQM tells PPP
