MQM-P says will not enter govt sans accord on constitutional amendments

F.P. Report

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has made it clear to the PML-N that it will enter the coalition government at Center only after it signs an agreement on constitutional amendments that will give protection to district and rural governments, on Thursday.

According to an inside story of the party’s coordination committee meeting held at Sindh Governor’s House late Wednesday night, the committee was informed about the meetings held with PML-N President and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders in Islamabad.  

Sources told 24News that the committee, while welcoming the decisions taken by MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, recommended his inclusion in the federal cabinet. 

The meeting also decided that the party would make sure that all its demands were met before it got ministries at Centre.

The committee recommended to the MQM-P to play the role of a strong opposition party in the Sindh Assembly. 

The committee also convened the party’s general workers’ meeting in order to take them into confidence ahead of the formation of the federal government. 

Talking to the media after the committee’s meeting, MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that a three-point agenda had been set for talks with the PML-N. “The constitution demands the formation of such a local government which should not only be fully empowered but also financially self-sufficient,” he added. 

The party’s Senior Deputy Convener Dr. Farooq Sattar said it had been conveyed to the PML-N leadership that it should also take other political parties on board on the constitutional amendments.