Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Thursday held telephonic conversations with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Interior Minister Rehman Malik. Reportedly, the president and the premier greeted the MQM chief for rejoining the PPP-led government. The president hoped that the alliance would gain strength over time and that both parties would work together to strengthen democracy.
Gilani’s spokesman said that Gilani and Altaf discussed ways to strengthen democracy and resolve various national issues. Media reports say Rehman Malik also telephoned Hussain and congratulated him for joining the government. He said his party championed reconciliation, which was evident from its reaching out to PML-Q and other parties. He said the MQM had always been an ally and would remain so. Malik said politics was all about evolving new bonds and that allies come and go, which doesn’t make a difference.