As PML-Q chief Shujaat Hussain is making hectic efforts to woo the MQM back in the government, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman welcomed the Altaf Hussain-led party in the opposition hoping it would remain firm on its decision and support Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri for the slot of the opposition leader in the Senate.
Both Shujaat and Fazl contacted Altaf on telephone after the MQM announced its decision to quit the government and tried to sway him towards each other’s side, asking the MQM leadership to support their respective stances.
Shujaat contacted Altaf on Monday to urge him to review his decision, telling him to it was not ‘suitable’ for the MQM to quit, particularly after the PML-Q’s joining of the government.
Being an ally of the government, Shujaat is also in touch with the prime minister on the issue. Before contacting Altaf, Shujaat called on the prime minister to discuss the political situation in the backdrop of MQM’s decision.
On the other side, the JUI-F chief telephoned Altaf on Tuesday to welcome them in the opposition ranks. Both leaders discussed the political situation in the country and vowed to work together in the future.
According to a source in the JUI-F, MQM’s decision of joining the opposition would boost the JUI-F’s morale as the party was fighting a legal battle with the PML-N for the opposition leader slot in the Senate.
JUI-F is hopeful that MQM would support for the slot.
Though the Senate chairman has reserved the ruling, MQM’s support to a candidate for the slot is unlikely to be considered by him but MQM’s presence on opposition benches might pull the JUI-F from isolation as it is more inclined towards the JUI-F as than the PML-N.