MQM still keeping options open in Sindh

ISLAMABAD: MQM leader Nabeel Gabol clearly stated that though PPP was giving an impression that everything had been finalised with MQM for a coalition provincial government, yet MQM had not issued any single official word about it because there were still many issues being resolved by both sides.
Talking to The News, he said there was no doubt that Pervez Musharraf was supporting the efforts to topple the provincial government and he had already met leaders of the opposition parties in the recent past.
To a question, he said MQM had 52 members in the provincial assembly and no-confidence motion could never be passed without its support so if it backed any such move, it would get good share in the government.
“There is no pressure on MQM either to join the Sindh government or support no-confidence motion against it because it takes decision at its own keeping in view the interest of the people,” he said.
Nabeel Gabol said MQM had negotiated with PPP and its delegation also met former president Pervez Musharraf Tuesday so it meant that our options were still open as happened in politics.Sindh Opposition Leader Shaharyar Khan Mehar told The News that they had complete understanding with Pervez Musharraf and would support his every effort to get rid of the provincial government.
“When the government fails to deliver, it is right of the opposition parties to get rid of it through democratic means. Personally, I don’t have knowledge about what has been discussed between Pervez Musharraf and the MQM delegation today (Tuesday),” he said.
PPP’s Senator Saeed Ghani told The News that he had no knowledge that MQM was going to join the Sindh government but that PPP had negotiated with it regarding upcoming Senate elections.
“Every political party takes its own decisions and if Pervez Musharraf lures them, MQM is free to decide about its future politics. We may have joint strategy regarding Senate elections but I don’t know whether or not MQM will join Sindh government,” he said.
When contacted, spokesperson of Pervez Musharraf Rashid Qureshi asked for a written question and when this correspondent sent him text message he did not give any reply to the query.