KARACHI: The newly elected Prime Minster Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Monday visited nine-zero and applauded the support of MQM as an government ally, Aaj news reported.

Ashraf, accompanied by the chief minister and governor of Sindh, arrived at Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) headquarter, Nine Zero. He is the second PPP prime minister to do so.

Ashraf thanked all the PPP allies to foster the politics of reconciliation in the country. The PM further added that restoring peace within Karachi and the rest of the country would be his top most priority.

During the meeting, Dr Farooq Sattar said that early elections should be held if “we [PPP and MQM] believe in democracy.”

Altaf hinted that SC also tested his patience but he will remain steadfast & patient for sake of democracy.

Altaf Welcomed Ashraf

Welcoming the new prime minister with petals, Hussain said that he was happy that Ashraf was not born with a “silver spoon” and was a worker who had to struggle to get to the current position. Hussain further asked Ashraf to serve his country rather than his party. The MQM chief urged the newly appointed PM to shift his focus towards resolving the Balochistan crisis with the utmost priority.

Defending Ashraf's tenure as Water and Power Minister, Hussain added that the former Water and Power minister was deluded and the blame was placed on him.

Praising PPP, the MQM chief added that he applauded Zardari's efforts of completing 4.5 years in the government in such "torrid time period". Hussain hailed Zardari's endurance with respect to the harsh decisions his party had to face at the behest of the SC.

Hussain further challenged all the opposition parties to come forward and debate with him about the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). "If they (opposition parties) were able to win the debate against me, I would quit poltics," stated the MQM chief.

"The country is facing difficult time and hence all the political parties should work collectively in order to sustain democracy and work for the improvement of the country," said Altaf Hussain.