KARACHI: The Pakistan Peoples Party has decided to include Muttahida Qaumi Movement in the Sindh government and has given the task to Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to hold talks with the MQM leadership for the purpose.

PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zar­dari made a telephone call to MQM chief Altaf Hussain in London and informed him about the PPP’s decision taken on Tues­day at the Bilawal House meeting of PPP Sindh Parliamentary Party.

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The two leaders exchanged views on the overall political situation, the PPP-MQM working relationship and matters of mutual interest.

Mr Zardari said that PPP and MQM were elected parties of the people of Sindh and both should work jointly for the progress and prosperity of the country and welfare of the people, says an MQM press release.

Both leaders agreed that better working relationship between MQM and PPP augured well for the country, especially Sindh.

Mr Hussain said that the MQM would continue its peaceful struggle for attaining the fundamental rights of people. The two leaders agreed to continue their contacts in future also.

Asif Zardari and Altaf Hussain expressed concern over the Yohannaabad tragedy in Lahore and offered condolences to the bereaved Christian families.

PPP MEETING: The Sindh Ass­embly Parliamentary Party endor­sed the decision of PPP Co-Chair­man Asif Ali Zardari to include the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in the Sindh government.

It also decided to continue its reconciliation policy in the run-up to local government elections and asked party leaders and workers to mobilise the party from district to ward level and arrange corner meetings.

The meeting, attended by PPP Women Wing’s President Faryal Talpur, Senior Vice President Sherry Rahman and ministers, reviewed the political situation, law and order in Karachi and preparations being made for observing the death anniversary of PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on April 4. It also discussed strategy for contesting local government elections.

Asif Zardari congratulated party lawmakers for standing by the party’s decision and voting in a disciplined and dignified manner in Senate elections. Mr Zardari also took them on board on the party’s strategy during the Senate elections which saw election of six PPP candidates to the upper house from Sindh and unopposed election of PPP leader Raza Rabbani as the Senate Chairman.

Mr Zardari said that while there were reports of uproar and furore in other assemblies on and before the polling day, Senate elections in Sindh went smooth for which the house and its members deserved applause.

The former president said that MQM had fully backed the PPP in Senate elections and now the PPP had formally invited the MQM to join the Sindh government. The Muttahida’s reply was awaited, he said.

According to sources, Mr Zardari sought opinion of all MPAs about the MQM’s joining the Sindh government and when no one came forward to discuss the issue, he asked Mr Nadir Magsi to give his opinion on the issue. Mr Magsi said that although he did not like the MQM, the commitment made on the eve of Senate elections ought to be honoured.

Ms Kulsoom Chandio also supported the decision of the PPP co-chairman to include the MQM in the government.

Mr Zardari said that the PPP would continue the policy of reconciliation with MQM and all those parties which had sided with the PPP during Senate elections.

He said that rumours of imposition of Governor’s rule in Sindh was a conspiracy against the provincial government.

Mr Zardari directed party MPAs to start preparations for the next local government elections and mobilise the masses for the purpose.

Published in Dawn March 18th , 2015

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