Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQMP), a key party in the ruling coalition at center, has angered its two major partners, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN), with its ever-growing demands and by announcing a protest campaign in Karachi beginning January 9, Aaj News reported on Wednesday.
MQMP has been demanding redrawing of Union Council (UC) boundaries before holding local bodies elections in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions, the only two regions in Sindh that will go to polls on January 15. Other divisions have already elected their local bodies representatives in June 2022.
The PPP, however, says that new delimitations will delay the polls by four months — something the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was not likely to allow.
After late-night talks failed on Monday, the MQMP announced it will hold a protest rally outside the ECP Karachi office.
The party also tried to contact the PMLN in an attempt to influence decision-making by PPP, which controls Sindh. However, the PMLN leadership has refused to meet MQMP leaders.
The refusal was confirmed by former Sindh governor and PMLN leader Mohammad Zubair to Aaj News.
Zubair said MQMP and PPP were both allies of the PMLN, which, he said would strive to resolve the impasse.
PPP sources told Aaj News that a host of demands put forth by the MQMP had already been met. PPP removed its Karachi administrator Murtaza Wahab, appointed district administrators on the recommendation of MQMP, and at least six of MQMP members were given key positions in the center.
Sources said the provincial government also played a role in the return of persecuted MQMP workers to their homes, officers in the Hyderabad administration were appointed on the recommendation of the party, and even the Sindh Governor, Kamran Tessori, was appointed to the position after consultation with the party.
Meanwhile, the MQMP is reaching out to the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). Its delegation was planning to visit the JI head office in Karachi.
Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) Chief Mustafa Kamal has also summoned an emergency meeting of his party. Kamal is reportedly in talks with MQMP on a merger.
