News
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Back to 2001* PPP, MQM reach deal * Local government system restored in Karachi, Hyderabad
KARACHI: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and its estranged coalition partner, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), on Saturday agreed to a formula in which the PPP conceded to the MQM’s demand for the restoration of local government system of 2001 in Karachi and Hyderabad.
The decision came at a meeting between PPP leader Babar Awan, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad at the Governor’s House.
An ordinance promulgated to restore local government system in Karachi and Hyderabad was issued at around 1:00am Saturday night by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad.
Sindh Governor telephoned MQM Chief Altaf Hussain and took him into confidence over ordinance for restoring local bodies system.
Meanwhile, sources said that talks have also entered in a final stage for ironing out PPP-MQM differences and MQM’s return to the coalition government.
Earlier, at a meeting in Islamabad, MQM and ruling PPP reiterated to eradicate their differences for stability and peace in Karachi.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad who called on PPP leader Senator Babar Awan told reporters that political bitterness between two parties caused instability and uproar in the financial capital of the country.
He said certain elements were exploiting MQM-PPP rift which resulted in instability in Karachi and the country as a whole.
The governor suggested that political and administrative balance was need of time to restore peace in Karachi added that MQM chief wanted a formula to end the chaos in the city.
On a query about rejoining the government, Ebad said that President Zardari and Altaf Hussain agreed to work together to strengthen the democracy and institutions in the country.
He said both parties would support each other to make actions against the criminals who destroying peace of the economy hub of the country.
Ebad said that there would be no call for military assistance for restoring peace in Karachi and all the related issues will be resolved with the consensus of all stakeholders.
He urged all the political parties to work to avoid such a situation in which army action might become imminent.
The governor said the country was suffering due to political turbulence and steps should be taken to protect it and its institutions.
He said on the direction of President Asif Ali Zardai, both the parties were making dialogue on the political and administrative control of Karachi and added that they would bring peace but at the moment no timeframe could be given for that. agencies.Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk