MQM-P should end politics of hostility, adopt constructive approach: Sharjeel

Senior Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday said Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) senior leader and Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has levelled baseless allegations against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in an unprepared press conference.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Memon said the MQM-P’s politics has already faded, and this was an unsuccessful attempt to revive it. According to him, the MQM-P boycotted the LG elections after assessing the ground realities, knowing they would face a certain defeat.

He said the 27th amendment began with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s tweet. The amendment included points such as establishing a constitutional court, restoring executive magistrates, transferring judges, removing protections over the provinces’ share in the National Finance Commission, amending Article 243, and delaying the appointment of the election commission, he added.

He also said that many of these points were never accepted by the PPP, and Bilawal’s tweet made no mention of LGs, adding that the MQM-P should end its politics of hostility, and adopt a constructive approach. The PPP, he claimed, is the strongest guarantor of provincial rights.

Memon said the Charter of Democracy signed between Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif also mentioned the establishment of a constitutional court. The PPP had already expressed its reservations on this matter, after which the Central Executive Committee held a two-day meeting, he added.

He said the PPP has long been a victim of judicial activism. The governments of Benazir were dismissed, and President Asif Ali Zardari spent 11 years in prison without conviction, he added.

He lamented over the resignations of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah. He said the country had also seen judges like Saqib Nisar, “who violated the law and supported Imran Khan and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf”.

Misconduct cases should have been filed against them, he added. He also recalled judges like Umar Ata Bandial, “who once said ‘Good to see you’ upon seeing an accused in court”. In response to a question, Memon said the division of Sindh is impossible, and there is no force in the world capable of dividing it.

Speaking about development projects, Shah said the CM had toured the city a day earlier, adding that all projects are progressing rapidly. He said notable improvements are taking place across Sindh, especially in Karachi, where cleanliness work has improved and upgrades are under way in all towns. The government is committed to transforming Karachi into a modern city, he added.