Pakistan People’s party (PPP) welcomed the reappointment of Ishrat-ul-Ibad as governor Sindh, while Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and other opposition parties termed it as an overture from Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for reconciliation between the two.
PPP Punjab General Secretary Sami ullah Khan, welcoming the statement of Altaf Hussain asking Dr Ibad to resume work as governor, said it was a good omen for democracy and stability. He said it would strengthen harmony as well as initiate reconciliatory politics. Expressing apprehensions over the MQM withdrawal of governor Sindh’s resignation, PML-N spokesman said it was an end of politics of principle from the MQM.
He avoided giving a detailed reaction over MQM’s return to PPP. He said he could not comment on the MQM’s U-turn before observing the implication of the decision. On the other hand, the cell phones of most of the PML-N leaders were either switched off or were not attended. Information Secretary Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Umer Cheema bitterly criticised the PPP and MQM for working closely together in order to perpetuate their mutual corruption and actualise their vested interests.
He said all the political parties in the parliament, including PPP, PML-N, MQM and others, were involved in a musical chair game and were fooling the masses of Pakistan. “None of them can be trusted,” he said, also criticising the MQM for being dubious and indecisive about their political role. Cheema alleged that the MQM was changing its position all the time and it was difficult to determine which side it was on. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) General Secretary and Central leader Liaqat Baloch said MQM was untrustworthy, adding that it could switch partners anytime. MQM joined the government to achieve its agenda, he said, adding that this drama had started from the day the incumbents had taken charge and it was very possible that the news of MQM joining the government would surface.
