The MQM-P has yet again been approached by a mainstream party to make solid position ahead of elections. This time it is PML-N. Many wonder what the Karachi-based party would demand from the Nawaz Sharif-led party in return for an alliance against the PPP in Sindh.
In order to this query and much more, Shaukat Piracha of Aaj News hosted MQM-P leader Syed Aminul Haque, PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar, and PML-N leader Khurram Dastgir on his show Rubaroo that was aired on the news channel on Sunday.
“We talked about two things: transfer of funds to the town level and mayoral elections within 90 days after the end of the city mayor’s tenure,” Haque said.
Earlier in the day, a PML-N delegation met with the MQM leaders in Karachi. In a press conference after the meeting, Saad Rafique said that the time has come to decide “formulas” for the equal distribution of resources and to give it legal and Constitutional protection. The former railways minister also spoke about the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) award that he wanted to be implemented.
“We only want the funds from PFC not to accumulate at the CM House but go to division, town, district, and UC level. We want this in every province so that common people have the advantage,” Haque said.
He went on to add that there should be a legal or Constitutional amendment to “protect” the local government as elections should be held within 90 days under a caretaker leader after a mayor’s tenure ends.
“We have been building consensus on it and it is not because of any enmity but for the advantage of people,” the MQM-P leader said and added that the 18th Constitutional Amendment was made to devolve powers.
When asked whether the N-league agreed on it or not, he replied that a three-member committee would be formed from both sides that would see all matters and they hoped that in the next seven to 10 days the homework on this would be completed. “After this, we will try to make it part of the party manifesto so that people favour it.” He added that the PML-N would give the names of three members on Monday (tomorrow).
According to Haque, his party has had a “good working relationship” with the N-league for the past five years that was further backed 16 to 17 months back when the PML-N signed a charter.
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Haque went on to add that there were no talks on seat adjustment that would allow PML-N to field its candidate without any opposition candidate from the MQM-P. But he shared that over the past many years, his party made efforts for the election of the chief minister in the province.
“There is a serious anti-PPP sentiment in Sindh. I think this is high time that those who are disgruntled with PPP should be provided relief and it is necessary as well.”
But PPP’s Syed Naveed Qamar described amendments to the Constitution related to the involvement of federation in provincial matters as “playing with fire”. He added that such intended tweaks were “vague” and would stir a new debate.
He wondered what promises the N-league was making to lure the MQM-P for a position in Sindh.
Qamar said that bypassing the province was not appropriate as they have their right. “Provinces have together made Pakistan,” he said.
The PPP leader advised the PML-N to abstain from saying such things in order to gain short-term gains.
“I can think the N-league is trying to take advantage of the position they have now. But what they will give to others at the cost of Pakistan,” he said.
PML-N leader Khurram Dastgir claimed that he was unaware of the details of the agenda discussed in the meeting.
He was of the view that Karachi should get the infrastructure that it deserves.
According to Dastgir, with Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan, the reservation of disgruntled leader Miftah Ismail would soon end and he would return to the party. He expressed hope that former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi would also return to the party.
