ISLAMABAD: Although it was a jaw-dropping development for many in the country, the MQM's decision to quit governments both in the centre as well as in Sindh and resignation from governorship is being seen by observers as a premeditated decision.

Most lawmakers interviewed by Dawn, both from the treasury and opposition benches, said this time the break between the People's Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was irrevocable.

Furthermore, there was a consensus that the MQM had decided to leave the government with an eye on the future. One of the lawmakers said the party was eager to change its image now that it has been a part of all governments from 2002 to date.

Another point of view was that the Muttahida must have based its move on a calculation that the nation was heading for early elections.

It is the first time that the party has quit the Sindh government and the governorship at the same time.

The confrontation between the PML-N and PPP in the wake of elections in Azad Kashmir has reached a point of no return. The PTI of Imran Khan has launched campaign to remove the government.

The ANP recently boycotted both the National Assembly and Senate after accusing PPP of ignoring it in day-to-day running of the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to protest the killing of its workers in Sindh.

“The MQM lawmakers had to brave the tag of opportunists after it recently re-joined the federal government and there is absolutely no chance that this time the party will come back to treasury benches,” said a sitting MNA of the PPP.

The MQM left the federal government in January this year, but later returned after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani made a maiden trip to the party's headquarters in Azizabad, Karachi.

He said the party was never feeling comfortable after coming back to the coalition government and looking for some excuse, and the PPP had surprisingly given this opportunity which the lawmaker said would have far reaching repercussion on the national politics.

The PPP lawmaker said it was quite surprising for the party leadership that MQM had decided to quit both the governments and the PPP was prepared to go alone in Sindh.

About the possibility of the return to the Sindh cabinet of former interior minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, the lawmaker said there was no harm in bringing back Dr Mirza as the Muttahida had left the coalition.

Sensing apparent danger to the federal government after MQM's initiative, the PML-Q supremo got in touch with the Muttahida chief and requested him to review the decision. According to TV channels, Altaf Hussain asked Shujaat Hussain to join MQM on opposition benches. Dawn

Talking to , PML-N's spokesperson Ahsan Iqbal said the MQM's decision had confirmed “our belief that the federal government has rigged AJK elections. The two parties could collectively challenge the election results, Mr Iqbal said.

In reply to a question whether the PML-N would call for early elections now that the MQM had decided to quit the ruling coalition, Ahsan Iqbal said there was nothing wrong to have a meaningful change through democratic process.

“If the sitting government has failed to improve governance and resolve people's problems, opposition parties can demand change, but to have general elections broad national level consensus is a must.”