ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (INP): In what is seen as a major political move, a delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) members held a detailed meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday and took him into confidence over its relations with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and sought PML-N support to carve out a Mohajir province.
According to reports, the delegation comprising Dr Farooq Sattar, Nasreen Jalil, Rashid Godil and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, met the premier and discussed the prevailing political situation in the country, especially tense relationship between the PPP and MQM in the province of Sindh.
During the meeting, Nawaz Sharif said that difference of opinion is the beauty of democracy and should aim at the country’s development and people’s betterment. “Our constitution provides ample space for debate to all democratic forces in the country,” he said.
He said that during the last few months Pakistan has witnessed an exemplary display of parliamentary democracy and rule of law in which all political parties expressed solidarity with the system for upholding the supremacy of democracy and strengthening of democratic institutions in the country.
Overall political situation in the country, particularly in the province of Sindh, came under discussion during the meeting.
The prime minister called upon the democratically elected forces to work in unison for the development and progress of Sindh. He asked them to work for the unity and prosperity of Pakistan and resolve mutual differences through dialogue in a cordial manner.
He said directions have been passed on to the concerned to ensure timely completion of ongoing development projects in Karachi.
Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Pervaiz Rashid, Federal Minister for Railways, Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Political Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr. Asif Kirmani also attended the meeting.
The meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was held in the backdrop of differences between the MQM and PPP over Khursheed Shah’s statement over the word Mohajir and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s criticism of Altaf Hussain.
The sources said that the MQM sought PML-N’s support for new provinces and said a resolution would be moved in the National Assembly for this purpose. It was pointed out to the MQM delegation that a recommendation has to come from the provincial assembly for such a move as the Constitution provides a way forward.
INP