MQM finally joins Sindh govt

KARACHI - Following a power-sharing deal between the ruling Pakistan People’s Party the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) after sitting on opposition benches about a year finally joined Sindh government on Tuesday. Two MQM lawmakers took oath as minsters MQM MPAs Rauf Siddiqui and Dr Sagheer Ahmed took oath as ministers at a ceremony. Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad administered oath to new ministers at Governor House on Tuesday evening. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah speaker and deputy speaker Sindh Assembly administrators and people from the business community were present on the occasion. MQM deputy convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui Dr Farooq Sattar Ahmed Saleem Iftikhar Rahdhawa Ashfaq Mangi Gulfaraz Khan Khattak Kanwar Khalid Younus Syed Sardar Ahmed Mumtaz Jakhrani and others including the former interior minister and PPP leader Rehman Malik were also present on the occasion. MQM’s Faisal Sabzwari Adil Siddiqui and Abdul Haseeb were appointed as advisors for departments of youth affairs aukaf and religious affairs respectively. The notification of the MQM members appointed as advisors will be issued soon. Talking to media representatives after the ceremony Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said PPP and MQM would work together for the development of the province and play their role in resolving various issues of the masses. Altaf Bhais political approach has once again revived the old alliance between both the parties Qaim said. The CM said that in past both parties had worked for the masses and once again they would serve the people from Karachi to Kashmore. He said the ruling coalition will help improve the economic condition and joint efforts of both the parties would put the province on the path of progress and development. Former interior minister and PPP leader Rehman Malik who had been a key figure in finalising and evolving the power sharing formula between the MQM and PPP in Sindh government termed the new development a good news for the nation especially for the people of Sindh. Conveying PPP co-chairman’s message, Malik said Asif Ali Zardari desired to work for the masses with the cooperation and coordination of MQM. He said was promoting Shaheed Benazir Bhutto s consensus policy and had eliminated the difference between both the political parties restoring the former alliance. Talking about the PPO Malik said anti-human and unlawful clauses from the bill required to be removed. MQM Deputy Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said after a long discussion and consultations with the party leadership, “We have decided to join the PPPs Sindh government. He said it was need of the hour that the urban areas of Sindh should be given powers and it was the only way to stable the condition. I am thankful to Malik who remained in contact with us and played his role in reviving the old ruling coalition Siddiqui added. He said PPP-MQM ruling coalition was established to counter various issues especially terrorism, poverty and illiteracy. Siddiqui also extended an invitation to CM Sindh for a visit to MQM headquarters Nine-Zero. On the occasion MQM parliamentary leader in National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar said the stability of the country was based on the stability of the Sindh and MQM wanted good relationship with PPP for the development of the Sindh province. Sattar further extended party support to the provincial government and hoped that both parties would work for the restoration of peace and resolution of various issues of the province. Earlier PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari met with PPP leader Rehman Malik at Bilawal House Karachi and discussed matters relating to MQM’s joining with the Sindh government. Malik briefed the former president about the power-sharing formula for a coalition government between PPP and MQM. Sources added that PPP leadership also contacted MQM London leaders for finalisation of the ruling alliance in Sindh province. Malik also called on Governor Ibad at Governor House Sindh. The meeting evolved the first phase in which MQM will get two ministries including health and industries along with two advisors for the department of Aukaf and religious affairs and special advisors for youth affairs.