A three-member PPP delegation, led by Rehman Malik, reached at Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) headquarters Nine Zero.
In a meeting followed by a press conference, Malik officially invited the MQM to join the PPP government in Sindh.
The meeting was attended by the members of coordination committee Kanwar Naveed Jameel, Ashfaq Mangi, Khalid Sultan, Adil Khan, Mian Atique, Dr Farooq Sattar, Faisal Sabzwari and Sardar Ahmed. While the PPP delegation included Rehman Malik, Mazharul Haq and Khaleequz Zaman. The parties discussed joining of the Sindh government, law and order situation in Karachi and Balochistan, local body government system and economic condition of the country.
In a press conference followed by the meeting, MQM Coordination Committee Deputy Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said the PPP has invited them to formally join the Sindh government. He said they would take this offer to workers and people and would take the decision accordingly. He said that the channels for consultation always remain open in politics and MQM will abide by its promise to strengthen democracy.
Siddiqui said that they have also discussed the tragic events of Ziarat and Quetta and have also sent message to the provincial government about the abduction and extra-judicial killings of MQM workers. He said they have also pledged the Sindh government and President Asif Zardari to take concrete steps for the immediate recovery of eight missing workers and save lives of the workers and supporters. He said that regardless of MQM position in legislative assemblies, their role would always be in the highest interest of Pakistan and that the MQM has never compromised on its principled stance.
Rehman Malik said that the friendly relations of Asif Zardari and Altaf Hussain that started from Nine Zero had strengthened democracy. He denied rumours that the MQM was already joining the Sindh government. He said, “We have extended our invitation today and now we will wait for MQM’s response.” He further said that Karachi has been victimised by mafias and the Sindh government was preparing comprehensive policy to combat these issues and also mentioned that the PPP has no relation with the People’s Aman Committee (PAC). He said the Sindh government would take due action against these mafias and the PAC. He showed his concerns and said the recent tense situation both in Karachi and Balochistan was not good for the country and nation would have to show unity to discourage the forces that were engaged in disintegrating the country. He said the PPP had assured the federal government of support to curb terrorism. He said that both the PPP and MQM had suffered badly because of terrorism. Malik said Altaf Hussain was a brave and visionary leader and had a very important role in the country’s politics.
Speaking to reporters, PPP leaders Mazharul Haq and Jameeluz Zaman said both parties had given sacrifices and unity was the need of the hour. They said that they were democratic people and believed in the politics of reconciliation.
