Leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have hinted that the latter might rejoin the government soon. Addressing a press conference here on Monday, senior PPP leader and Sindh Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani said that the disgruntled former coalition partner would rejoin the government in the Centre and Sindh before Eidul Fitr. The talks between the MQM and the ruling PPP have been finalised in this regard, Durrani added. Addressing a recent peace rally, senior MQM leader Nasreen Jalil had also said, “It is possible that the MQM might rejoin the government.” This was the first time since the MQM left the coalition that its leadership had accepted that there was still a chance that the party might rejoin the government. Moreover, in a recent meeting with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had said that the people look towards their elected representatives for resolution of their problems. Later, Gilani also told the media, “The MQM is with the government wherever they are now.” Speculations abound that after Gilani’s two-day visit to Karachi, it is likely that the MQM might rejoin the government soon. According to sources, during Gilani’s visit, he almost sorted out all the issues between the PPP and the positive breakthrough is possible. They say that now when Ebad has resumed his work as governor, efforts are under way to bring the MQM back to the treasury benches. When approached, the spokesman for Nine Zero said that the media would informed if the MQM decided to rejoin coalition government. Meanwhile, a private television channel has also claimed that the MQM will first become a part of the AJK government and then join provincial and federal government shortly after.
ONLINE ADDS: MQM’s parliamentary leader in NA Haider Abbas Rizvi on Monday said that MQM had not yet decided about joining the federal cabinet. Declaring all such rumors as ‘baseless’, he reiterated MQM’s stance to sit on the opposition benches. Referring to the possibility of resignation of Sindh Governor, he said that it would make the law and order Karachi worse. He claimed the MQM’s men were being killed daily and governor’s resignation could aggravate the situation.