KARACHI: The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) reached out to its coalition partner in the centre Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan on Thursday to discuss the possibility of an alliance and bringing joint candidates in the upcoming by-elections in Sindh. The move came as an apparent reaction to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) overture to the Muttahida on Wednesday. The PPP and MQM-P had agreed not to accept the results of the National Census 2017.

The latest proposals came during a discussion between leaders of the two parties after a delegation of PTI led by Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Firdous Shamim Naqvi visited the MQM-P headquarters in Bahadurabad and held a detailed discussion on different points. The key factors of the discussion were shared by the leaders after the meeting with the media and confirmed the possibility of a joint strategy in the upcoming polls in Sindh.

“Multiple issues came under discussion,” Faisal Subzwari of the MQM-P told reporters after the meeting. “The proposal to bring joint candidates or setting up electoral alliance for the upcoming by-polls was also discussed. The two sides came up with their points and arguments for a better approach towards Sindh and its urban areas. We would take up all these points in our coordination committee meeting. Both parties believe in democratic process and would like to play their role for the betterment of Sindh and Pakistan.”

Mr Naqvi in his talk to the media criticised the PPP and held it responsible for the “devastation in Sindh” which demanded an alliance of pro-development and “true” democratic parties for a new era of social reforms in the province.

“We all know what would happen to Sindh if this 12-year devastation continues,” he said while referring to the PPP’s rule over Sindh. “The upcoming elections are an opportunity to set the pattern. The people of Sindh are fed up with persistent corruption and feudalism in the name of democracy. They want change and it’s our responsibility to share their concerns.”

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) earlier this month had decided to immediately hold by-elections in eight constituencies of national and provincial assemblies, which were pending because of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision, which would pave the way for the completion of electoral college for the coming Senate polls, was taken at a meeting of the ECP presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2021