MQM boycotts federal cabinet meeting; finance minister comes under fire

Published
5

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet at the PM Secretariat. — File Photo by Online

ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Wednesday boycotted the federal cabinet meeting due to its reservations over local body system in Sindh, DawnNews reported.

On the directives of the prime minister, the MQM federal minister was contacted but he refused to attend the meeting.

MQM on Monday had given Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) a three-day ultimatum to fulfill their ‘valid’ demands.

The statement, issued by the Rabita Committee after its meeting held simultaneously in London and Karachi, had said that working in coalition with the PPP has become impossible as despite repeated assurances it has failed to meet their demands.

In today's federal cabinet meeting , some members of the parliament complained against Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Adviser to petroleum ministry Dr Asim Hussain, holding them responsible for energy crisis in the country and continuous increment in the petroleum prices; the ministers demanded their removal from their respective posts.

They said that public representatives should be appointed to these important posts.

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf convened a special Cabinet meeting next week to discuss ways to reduce load shedding and review the overall energy situation in the country.

The Prime Minister said that during the special meeting next week Ministers for Finance, Water & Power and Petroleum & Natural Resources will brief about the latest energy situation in the country.

Opinion

Editorial

Urban flooding
Updated 02 Aug, 2026

Urban flooding

THE warning from the disaster management and weather authorities that a new monsoon spell could trigger urban...
Fatal workplaces
02 Aug, 2026

Fatal workplaces

THE methane explosion near Quetta that killed 34 coal miners is the latest entry in Pakistan’s long register of...
Dual standards
02 Aug, 2026

Dual standards

IT appears that the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party has fallen foul of the Election Commission of Pakistan. A...
Maritime alliance
Updated 01 Aug, 2026

Maritime alliance

AS the US-Iran war drags on, new battle lines are being drawn. The pro-US Gulf Arab monarchies and Iran have enjoyed...
Local governance
01 Aug, 2026

Local governance

INTERIOR Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s speech at a business summit on Thursday has stirred a hornet’s nest. His...
Murders in Balochistan
01 Aug, 2026

Murders in Balochistan

GOOD news is scarce in Balochistan. Seven labourers were abducted and gunned down in Turbat city recently. Four...