MQM decides to sit in opposition

The News

Monday, March 31, 2008
Karachi
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has finally decided to sit in opposition in the Centre as well as in Sindh.
This was stated by MQM MNA Haider Abbas Rizvi while talking to The News from Islamabad on Sunday.
He said: “We are part of the opposition at the federal level and will be part of opposition in Sindh as well.”
When asked as to what direction the dialogue between the MQM and the PPP was heading, he said no further headway has been made after some initial talks and every thing seems to be at standstill.
He said that there have been no serious efforts from the PPP to take the MQM on board vis-a-vis formation of the government.
It may be noted here that the MQM had extended unconditional support to the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in his election to the premier’s slot.
However, PPP’s coalition partners including the PML-N and the ANP have expressed reservations about the inclusion of MQM in the coalition government at the federal level.
When asked if Asif Ali Zardari’s arrival in Karachi on Monday could lead to the possibility of high level talks between the PPP and the MQM, Rizvi said: “We haven’t received any message from the quarters concerned in this regard.” —FM