PM assures to resolve MQM’s reservation as coalition falters

• PM Shehbaz Sharif called MQM’s Convenor Khalid Maqbool
• He assured him resolve reservations through dialogue
• PDM chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman also called MQM leader

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has expedited efforts to woo its disgruntled ally Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) in order to save the coalition, BOL News reported.

The MQM has threatened to quit the ruling coalition if its reservations over conducting delimitations in Karachi and Hyderabad are not addressed before conducting the local government elections.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman called MQM-P Convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and discussed the political situation. Sources revealed that efforts are being part to prevent the MQM from quitting the coalition government.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also contacted Khalid Maqbool and assured them that their reservations will be resolved. The prime minister assured the allied party that their reservations will be assured by tomorrow through dialogue, sources revealed.

According to reports, an MQM delegation will visit the PM House and discuss the situation. The delegation will be led by Khalid Maqbool and comprise of Dr Farooq Sattar, Mustafa Kamal and Anis Qaimkani.

MQM has threatened to quit the coalition government and sit on the opposition benches over delimitations issue.

MQM convened an important meeting  and sought feedbacks from the Rabita committee. Several members of the committee expressed their opinion to separate from the federal government.

The party also asked for resignation of its members from the National Assembly. Many other options, including leaving the government were discussed in the meeting. MQM has also called a general workers meeting at KMC Ground, PIB, on January 14.

On Wednesday, MQM staged a protest outside the ECP office in Karachi against delimitations and the second phase of local bodies elections being held on January 15.

The protest was attended by MQM-P Bahali Committee head Dr Farooq Sattar, PSP Chief Syed Mustafa Kamal, MQM-P leaders Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Faisal Sabzwari, Wasim Akhtar and others.

Addressing the participants of the demonstration, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that MQM has paid a heavy political price for the government and can leave if their reservations were not resolved on an immediate basis.

He lamented that there was no progress on agreement with PPP even though the prime minister has formed a committee to look into the matter.

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