MQM-P to support Opposition if 'certain demands are met': sources

By
Web Desk

March 16, 2022

PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman meet with MQM-P at Parliament Lodges on March 16, 2022. — Twitter
PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman meet with MQM-P at Parliament Lodges on March 16, 2022. — Twitter 

  • Parties complete initial consultation process regarding no-confidence motion.
  • Meeting discusses political situation in country.
  • Final talks with MQM-P will take place tonight at Fazl’s residence, say sources. 

ISLAMABAD: PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman held final consultations regarding the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan with MQM-P, during which the latter indicated it would support the Opposition if “certain demands are met”, sources privy to the matter revealed Wednesday.

During the meeting, the parties completed the initial consultation process regarding the no-confidence motion and discussed the political situation in the country.

According to the MQM-P spokesperson, the meeting — which lasted more than an hour — took place at MQM-P leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui’s residence. The meeting was attended by PDM secretary-general Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, JUI-F’s Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, MQM’s Aminul Haque, Amir Khan, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, Javed Hanif, and Sadiq Iftikhar Sanjay Perwani.

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Sources further said the final talks with MQM-P will take place tonight at Fazl’s residence where PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and Shahbaz will meet the MQM-P delegation.

With the National Assembly session for voting on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan just weeks away, the government is trying to woo its allies for supporting it during the voting.

The Opposition is also attempting to cajole the PTI allies and seeking to break the government alliance in the lower house — by holding back-to-back meetings with them.

PM Imran Khan has said that he is ready for everything that the Opposition plans to throw his way — but he has also intensified meetings with allies ahead of the no-trust motion session.

Read more: Shahbaz proposes formation of national govt for next 5 years sans PTI's participation

The government's ally in the Centre, the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), has assured PM Imran Khan of complete support ahead of the no-trust motion, while other allies — BAP, MQM-P, and PML-Q — are still indecisive.