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Sunday, May 11, 2008

PPP and MQM call for united front to tackle problems

* Zardari calls MQM significant political force with much to offer
* Altaf appeals to PML-N to show flexibility on judges’ issue

LONDON: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have underscored the importance of unity among all political forces in Pakistan to resolve the prevailing crises in the country. During a meeting on Friday, MQM leader Altaf Hussain and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari discussed at length the prevailing political situation in the country, the judiciary and economy and the maintenance of peace and harmony in Karachi where the MQM is now a coalition partner of the PPP. Both leaders also offered fateha for the departed soul of assassinated PPP chairwoman Benazir Bhutto. The two leaders pointed out that it was imperative that they keep the coalition between the PPP and PML-N at the Centre intact, despite their failure to sort out the judiciary issue. Zardari said that his party was fully committed to the Charter of Democracy, which carries the signatures of both Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. He said that even if his party had won a two-thirds majority in parliament, he would still have endeavoured to carry all political parties with him in the greater national interest. Citing the release of former Balochistan chief minister Akhtar Mengal, the PPP leader said that he was determined to resolve all outstanding issues facing the province. Significant: Zardari praised Hussain’s leadership, saying that the MQM was a very significant political force in Pakistan and had a lot to offer for the improvement of the country. Referring to the discussion with the PML-N on the judiciary issue, he said that the two parties had commonality on several matters of importance. “It is my utmost desire to bring parties with differing views on a single commonality to ensure peace and harmony in the country and surmount the challenges facing us. Our conscience is clear and I am hopeful of achieving success,” he added. During the meeting, the PPP co-chairman and the MQM chief discussed the problems facing Sindh and Karachi in particular and agreed to tackle the crises in a comprehensive manner by promoting their mutual relationship. Zardari said that the PPP, the MQM and the Awami National Party were the three largest political forces in Karachi and would discuss means to resolve multifarious problems of the port city and promote social cohesion, peace and harmony. Appeal: Endorsing Zardari’s views, the MQM chief said that the PPP was the largest political party of the country, adding that the PML-N was the second largest. He said the PML-N and the MQM could resolve their differences through negotiations. He also appealed to the PML-N on the issue of the judiciary, asking the party to be flexible in its stated position in the greater interest of the country. “The matter could be settled on the basis of give and take and even if the May 12 deadline is extended by a few days to allow a lasting solution in the interest of the country, I think it would be the biggest service to the nation,” he added. Responding to a question, the MQM leader said his party held no grudge against any party, adding that he desired for all parties to contribute to the consolidation of democracy and the strengthening of the country’s institutions. app
Courtesy Daily Times

 

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