KARACHI, March 7: As political manoeuvring continues both on the provincial and national levels post February 18, talks between the Pakistan People’s Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – the two major political forces in Sindh – seem to have stalled. Analysts are watching these developments with great interest, as how the PPP-MQM relationship shapes up is crucial for the stability of both Sindh and Karachi.
A delegation of PPP leaders visited Nine Zero, the MQM’s headquarters in Azizabad, on Feb 28, led by Sindh chief minister designate Syed Qaim Ali Shah. It was indicated that talks would continue, however, a constructive follow-up round has not yet materialized and sources within the MQM claim the PPP’s Karachi leadership is to blame for throwing a spanner in the works.
“It was basically a friendly gesture and the talks were held in a congenial atmosphere. It seems the MQM has decided to sit in the opposition. That’s fine. There is room for both agreement and disagreement in parliament,” said Nisar Khuhro, the PPP’s designated Sindh Assembly speaker, when asked about the status of the talks. When queried, senior MQM leader Hyder Abbas Rizvi, who was present at the talks, wasn’t too optimistic about any breakthrough.
“The continuation of talks doesn’t depend on our intentions. We are ready for talks. If a party wants to form a coalition government with us, there should be a formal invitation. There has been no such invitation forthcoming. When Mr Zardari talked to Quaid-i-Tehrik (Altaf Hussain) over the phone, it was in a very positive tone, though there was no discussion of government formation. However, I believe the second-tier leadership of the PPP is not interested in having a relationship with the MQM,” he said.
Another MQM leader, requesting anonymity, claimed that “the local Karachi PPP leadership, particularly those that were defeated in the Feb 18 polls, is sabotaging the dialogue process. They do not want a working relationship between the PPP and MQM as it will harm their personal interests.”
But Mr Khuhro played down the issue saying that though all tiers of the party leadership were consulted, what the party decides will be respected by all.
“It wasn’t specifically the Karachi leadership that opposed talks with the MQM. Sure, there were differences of opinion within our party, just as in any party. But the PPP is a democratic party and as such differences of opinion are expected. We have all been consulted. However, we will honour the party’s decision, whatever that may be,” confirmed Saeed Ghani, leader of the opposition in the City Council, who belongs to the PPP-backed Awam Dost panel.
The Chaudhry factor
Professor N.D. Khan, one of the PPP leaders that accompanied Mr Shah to Nine Zero, confirmed that though there was no tangible progress, the party was keeping the door open.
“There is no movement as such. Our visit to the MQM’s headquarters was basically a goodwill gesture. We will continue to be in touch. But progress requires commitment from both sides. Even the MQM itself is not clear about which side it will take right now. Things are in between. Nothing is categorical. Then there was Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s visit …” he said, referring to the PML-Q leader’s visit to Nine-Zero on March 2.
As opposed to the somewhat lukewarm reception given to the PPP team, Chaudhry Shujaat – accompanied by Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Amir Muqam, among other Q-leaguers – was given a rather rousing welcome by MQM workers, while both parties agreed to continue their cooperation.
Prof Khan also shot down suggestions that the PPP Karachi’s leadership was not interested in maintaining a positive relationship with the MQM.
“Mr Zardari is constantly holding consultations as he wants a consensus – both within the party and outside. People do express their feelings and the party takes its workers’ feelings into consideration. But the party is disciplined and is committed to the leadership,” he said.
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