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Published 23 Feb, 2024 09:35pm

February 8 was a test not an election: Siddiqui

Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said on Monday that his party’s role in the governmene would only become clear after the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz clarified what it has agreed on with the Pakistan Peoples Party.

Siddiqui said that the elections were actually a test rather than an election. He added that there had been doubts cast over whether elections would take place but the security forces made sure they were a reality.

He added that the stage after the elections was a test for the politicans over the country.

The MQM convener said that questions have been raised over election in the country and were also raised on 2018’s elections.

He added that he was not part of the committee talking with PMLN but was monitoring it.

Siddiqui said that the government would have 2/3 majority with MQM’s addition and they needed the three constitutional amendments they had always campaigned for.

When asked if PPP would support the constitutional amendments, Siddiqui said it would be better to ask why PPP would oppose it.

He added that powers should be devolved to the local level, which would benefit everyone even the national economy.

The MQM leader said that they could sit in the cabinet but the decision could only be made when the PMLN reveals what has been agreed with the PPP.

“Have you agreed with PPP to strengthen feudal democracy?” he said.

He added that sitting in the opposition was the best option for the party as there was alot of political space in the country if it joined hands with the independents in the assembly.

However, he clarified that MQM would sit in the opposition in the Sindh Assembly as democracy would not be complete without it.

Siddiqui said that Grand Democratic Allicance should have done its large rallies before the election as it seemed to lack ‘will during the polls’.

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