The month of sacrifice is nearing and going with the same spirit, if the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) wants to continue with the policy of reconciliation, it should surrender some of its own ministries to accommodate the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in the government, said Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) chief Pir Pagara on Friday.
He was speaking to the media after presiding over a meeting of his party leaders at his residence, Kingri House.
Pagara said that if the PPP wants to continue reconciliation, it must reduce its number of ministries as his party was on the losing end with the MQM rejoining the government.
Earlier on Friday, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah had called a meeting of ministers and advisers belonging to the PML-F at the Chief Minister’s House.
Sindh Youth Affairs Minister Jam Madad Ali, Auqaf Minister Rafiq Banbhan, Mines and Minerals Adviser Imamuddin Shoqeen and Information Technology Adviser Imtiaz Shaikh attended the meeting.
In the meeting, the chief minister asked the PML-F leaders to vacate their ministries that were previously held by MQM ministers as they will be accommodated in other ministries.
The ministries of Auqaf, Youth Affairs and Information Technology had been with the MQM before they quit the coalition over three months ago.
However, the PML-F ministers told the chief minister that they were not empowered to take such a decision and needed time for consultation with their chief.
The PML-F members then arrived at Pagara’s residence to inform him about the new development and their meeting with the chief minister.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Pagara said that with the joining of MQM in the coalition, his party is on the losing end. “If the PPP wants to continue with the policy of reconciliation, the month of sacrifice is near and it should surrender its own ministries.”
He, however, added that the government has it own problems but it must not harm the allies.
Talking about Nawaz Sharif, the PML-F chief said that the PML-N chairman is a stranger in Sindh and will not get any benefits from Sindh.
The PML-F enjoyed the three ministries for three months only when the MQM was absent from the government. Now the chief minister wants the party to return these ministries as the MQM is back in the coalition.
Estranged by the rejoining of MQM in the government, the PML-F chief called a party meeting today (Saturday) at his residence to review the situation arising after change of portfolios in the Sindh cabinet.
Sources privy to the development told Pakistan Today that the PML-F has demanded the Cooperative and Works and Services ministries in return.
