KARACHI, Sept 24: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement again threatened on Monday night to leave the ruling coalition and sit on the opposition benches in parliament if its ‘legitimate demands’ were not accepted by the PPP within three days.

Although a statement issued by the MQM late in the night did not say anything about the demands, sources told Dawn that the party’s main complaint related to appointment of political administrators to run local governments, particularly in cities and towns, under the newly-promulgated Sindh People’s Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO), 2012.

The statement said a joint sitting of the party’s coordination committee held simultaneously in Karachi and London decided to give a three-day ultimatum to the PPP to accept its legitimate demands which primarily related to ‘public welfare’. Otherwise, it warned, the MQM “would come out of the government and sit on the opposition benches”.

The decision of the committee, however, was yet to be endorsed by MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

The MQM statement did not mention if Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad would stay in the office if the PPP did not meet its demands.

The sources said it had been decided between President Asif Ali Zardari and Mr Hussain that political administrators would be appointed at all levels soon after the promulgation of the SPLGO, but some provincial leaders of the PPP were reportedly creating hurdles.

“President Zardari and Altaf Bhai are on a same page not only on the issue of local governments but also on taking action against criminal elements to restore peace in the city and in the province,” said a senior MQM leader. “But it seems that restoration of somewhat empowered local bodies and possible appointment of political administrators do not suit many influential people.”

MQM leader Faisal Subzwari told a private news channel that his party’s demands related to issuing of a notification about formation of metropolitan corporations and district councils in Sindh. He said the MQM had also sought action against extortionists, terrorists and those spreading sectarian hatred.

The ultimatum surprised many because the MQM and PPP had recently agreed on a new local government system in the province and an ordinance was promulgated for the purpose. Three key allies of the PPP in Sindh — ANP, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional and National People’s Party — left the coalition government in protest against the new system.

However, the PPP defended the law and only on Sunday Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah rejected the criticism of the SPLGO by its allies as well as nationalist parties and announced that the party would get the bill passed from the assembly.

According to the MQM statement, it was also decided in the meeting that the party would continue to support good actions of the government for the sake of democracy even after sitting on the opposition benches. “The MQM would, nevertheless, oppose all anti-people actions of the government and inform the public about them.”

The meeting noted that the MQM had always given full support to the PPP and President Zardari for continuation and promotion of democracy, but the PPP did not accept its legitimate demands despite repeated assurances.

It said the MQM wanted to inform its voters that it might not be able to go along with the PPP further in the present circumstances. It asked office-bearers and workers and people to wait for MQM’s future line of action and remain united. It also asked them to be ready for any sacrifice like they did in the past.

The coordination committee sent its unanimous decision to the MQM chief for his endorsement, the statement said.