KARACHI: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Bilawal House here on Monday night and exchanged views on matters relating to the PPP-MQM coalition at the centre and in the province.The Pakistan People’s Party is trying to defuse fresh tensions with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in Sindh, sparked once again by controversial remarks made by Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who returned to the country in the morning after holding talks with Muttahida leader Altaf Hussain in London, also attended the meeting.

Sources said that a delegation of the MQM would meet President Zardari on Tuesday.

Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar told reporters that the meeting was held in a “very cordial atmosphere”.

The interior minister briefed the meeting on his talks with the MQM chief in London.

The meeting reiterated that the process of reconciliation would continue for political stability and people’s welfare and for resolving issues facing the country.

It resolved that all issues would be addressed in the spirit of mutual accommodation and in accordance with the mission of leaders of the two parties.

The meeting agreed that in the larger interest of the country and the people, strict action would be taken against criminals of all hues and persuasions and no criminal would be allowed to seek shelter behind a political facade.

SERAIKI PROVINCE: President Zardari, who is also Co-Chairman of the PPP, held a meeting with the party’s manifesto committee on Monday and asked it to review and examine a demand for Seraiki province.

According to Farhatullah Babar, the president reviewed the progress made so far by the committee to implement its provisions and make it more responsive to the changing needs of time.

He said the committee would also examine the proposal of making a separate Seraiki province in the light of the demand made by people and give its recommendations. The manifesto was last reviewed in 2007 ahead of the general election.