Dalliance with PML-N: MQM has a lust for power, says Sharjeel Memon

The Express Tribune

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Saturday accused the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) of carrying on its routine political practice of supporting the ruling party. Speaking to media at an Iftar dinner on Saturday, Memon said, “The MQM enjoys power politics and cannot live without being in power”. The minister said he only wished that the prime minister would not comment on the murder of TV reporter Wali Khan Babar and target killer Ajmal Pahari during his upcoming visit to Karachi. Commenting on a possible alliance between PML- N and MQM, the minister said, “Such dalliance will not impact the PPP and its government in Sindh.” “Once the MQM joins the federal government, all allegations that the PML-N leaders levelled in the past against the PPP will evaporate.” “When the MQM was a coalition partner of General Pervez Musharraf, the PML-N chief had asked all the parties at a meeting in London not to make an alliance with MQM in future; but now his own party is violating its own dictates by inking an agreement with the MQM,” he said. On the other hand, Minister for Local Government Owais Muzaffar telephoned his party leaders from London and discussed current political situation, with special reference to the MQMs’ decision to support Mamnoon Hussain. He said he would return by Tuesday and start consultations with senior party leaders on the newly emerging political situation. He said they would continue the “reconciliation policy” as they wanted to take all political forces on board on issues confronted by the nation. Speaking about the PPP decision to boycott the presidential polls, Owais said the PPP had no other option, and it took that decision to exercise its democratic right.