MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday called President Asif Ali Zardari over telephone from London, praising the PPP co-chairman’s policy of reconciliation. President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the two leaders discussed the current situation in the country, adding that issues that came under discussion included law and order in Karachi, energy shortages and the economic situation of the country.
Altaf congratulated the president for pursuing the policy of reconciliation, which he said had resulted in the coalition democratic government approaching the successful completion of its constitutionally mandated term of five years. He said as a coalition partner, the MQM would continue to support the government in the pursuit of democratic ideals, the supremacy of the parliament and for the common objective of the good of the people.
The president thanked the MQM chief for the reiteration of support to the government and said the government also welcomed and looked forward to the continued support of MQM on all important national issues. The president said the success of reconciliation policy was also owed to the cooperation and understanding of political forces in the country, particularly the parties in the coalition government. The president said he was very pleased that the democratic government was nearing the completion of its full term and was poised to hold free and fair elections in the country within the constitutionally mandated time frame. The president also appreciated the MQM and other political parties, whether in the government or in the opposition, for their positive contributions in the bi-partisan parliamentary committee on election reforms to ensure free and fair elections in the country.