As the government and opposition look at ruling party coalition partners, the MQM-P has said that it would announce its decision in a press conference scheduled for 4pm on Wednesday (today) following last night's meetings with leaders from both sides of the aisle in parliament.
The PTI leadership, which was tasked to meet the coalition partners, on Tuesday held a detailed meeting with the MQM-P. Sindh Governor Imran Ismail had said that the team presented Prime Minister Imran Khan’s message to MQM-P convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and assured them of resolving their issues.
“Hopefully, they will announce their decision next morning [Wednesday]. The MQM-P has supported us for more than three years and we expect the same for the future,” Ismail told reporters after the meeting.
However, the opposition with two different delegations also met the MQM-P late at night. The meeting had caused quite a stir in the political arena with the opposition claiming to have reached a deal with the MQM-P – a coalition partner of the government that has seven seats in the National Assembly.
In a tweet, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, who was part of the second opposition delegation, claimed that the united opposition and MQM “have reached an agreement.”
“Rabta committee MQM[-P] & PPP CEC will ratify the said agreement. We will then share details with the media in a press conference tomorrow [Wednesday] IA. Congratulations Pakistan,” he added.
Bilawal’s tweet also echoed the words of PDM head Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who had alleged that the united opposition has reached a deal with the MQM-P.
But, the MQM-P did not explicitly state its position in the no-confidence vote. “The agreement between the united opposition and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan has been finalised. After the ratification of the proposed agreement by the PPP CEC, MQM-Pakistan Coordinating Committee, the details will be officially shared with the media tomorrow [Wednesday] at 4pm,” MQM-P leader Faisal Sabzwari said in a tweet.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Sabzwari said the party had constructive talks on resolving the issues with the opposition and the leaders would inform the Raabta Committee about the final decisions of the agreement at a meeting, which is scheduled to be held at 2pm on Wednesday.
“After this, we will address a joint press conference with opposition in Islamabad,” he said, adding that doors are still open for the government if wanted to have talks. Sabzwari was of the view that the country could not afford insurgency.
He also said that the party had moved from the “phase of reviewing” the situation and would give a final call.
Moreover, sources told Aaj News that PM Imran has claimed that the coalition partners would soon return to the government as the Balochistan Awami Party started contacting them. “The decision to award the Punjab chief minister seat to PML-Q was taken after thorough deliberation,” the premier said, “United we can fight the PML-N.”
