MQM says no decision on joining Sindh govt; PPP denies extending invitation

DUBAI: A delegation of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) held a meeting with a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) delegation in Dubai.

The PPP delegation was led by Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and comprised of Faryal Talpur and Rehman Malik. The MQM was represented by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, Khalid Maqbool, Babar Ghauri and Nadeem Nusrat.

MQM leader Babar Ghuari said there was no agenda for this meeting and only general discussions were held.

As the leaders met in Dubai, conflicting reports emerged over a decision of the MQM regarding joining the Sindh government.

Contradicting earlier media reports, an MQM spokesman said the party had made no decision regarding joining the Sindh government. He added that the meeting with PPP was part of the political and democratic process. “There is no truth in media reports regarding a decision to join the provincial government,” the spokesman said.

Earlier media reports said that the MQM had declined an invitation to the join the provincial government.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon denied this claim and said that the PPP had not extended any invitation to the MQM of joining the provincial government. "The meeting is being held on the request of the MQM. No invitation to join the provincial government has been made."

Prior to the meeting in Dubai, sources said that the PPP would invite the MQM to join the Sindh government.