- PPP chief telephones MQM’s Altaf Hussain, seeks reconciliation; invites other Opp leaders to Iftar dinner tonight to discuss evolving situation
- Lyari gangster Uzair Baloch reportedly in intelligence custody in Peshawar
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain made telephonic contact on Thursday during which leaders of the two parties agreed to set aside differences and follow the path of reconciliation.
The contact was made a few days after Zardari lashed out at the military establishment, urging the state institutions to work under their limits set by the constitution.
The PPP chief appeared to be unhappy with the Rangers press release that claimed Rs 230 billion are generated annually through extortion, land grabbing and other crimes.
MQM had long been accusing the law enforcement agencies of carrying out operation against the party. Both the Rangers and police denied the political parties claims, saying that the ongoing operation is being conducted indiscriminately against the criminal elements.
Meanwhile, Zardari will host an Iftar dinner for opposition leaders of all political parties at Zardari House on Friday (today).
A PPP source said that the Iftar and dinner would be an All Parties Conference (APC) of sorts, adding that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan would also be extended an invitation. The decision to invite Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is still being deliberated upon, the source said.
A day after Zardari’s uncharacteristically aggressive speech against the military leadership, PM Sharif on Wednesday stepped in to defend the armed forces.
A statement from PM House quoted Sharif as saying during a meeting on political consultations that criticism of the armed forces encourages destabilising factors in the country, adding that under the current circumstances criticising the armed forces is not an appropriate step.
Zardari is expected to take political leaders into confidence regarding the ongoing situation in Sindh, especially the role of Rangers in the province. Zardari’s spokesperson Farhatullah Babar confirmed that Zardari will be hosting the event at his Islamabad residence.
UZAIR BALOCH IN CUSTODY:
In a related development, a private news channel reported that notorious Lyari gangster Uzair Baloch is in the custody of intelligence agencies and is being currently held in Peshawar.
According to the channel, a video statement of Baloch has also been recorded in which he has confessed to killing two witnesses; one namely Khalid Shehensha, in Benazir Bhutto (BB) murder case. Naming two ministers as masterminds behinds his acts, he has also allegedly confessed involvement in money-laundering, racketeering, land grabbing and other crimes.
The report said the confessional statement comprises a 48-minute video, which has been forwarded to the Interior Ministry. Quoting sources, the channel said the Sindh government did not want Baloch to be deported to Pakistan but an intelligence agency made it possible.