PPP, MQM-P reach ‘political settlement’ ahead of LG polls

KARACHI: The ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and its ally Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) reached a political settlement ahead of the local government (LG) polls.

The political settlement between PPP and MQM-P also included the withdrawal of MQM-P’s candidate in the upcoming Senate elections on December 8 and the appointment of the MQM-P leader as the Karachi Administrator ahead of LG polls.

The decisions were taken in two separate meetings held at Sindh Chief Minister’s House and MQM-P Bahadurabad headquarters yesterday.

According to ARY News, PPP has thrown the ball in Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan’s (MQM-P) court over the delimitation issue. The ruling PPP and MQM-P leaders held discussions at Sindh CM House over the implementation of the political agreement between both parties, delimitation and other issues.

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The Sindh government asked the MQM-P leaders that the delimitation issue was linked with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), whereas, the provincial authorities were fully ready to make new delimitation.

The PPP leaders asked the MQM-P delegation to convince the ECP for new delimitation through its lawyers. The Sindh government said that it will not raise any objection over the demand for new delimitation, sources added.

In another round of talks held at MQM-P Bahadurabad headquarters, MQM-P announced that it would withdraw its candidate in his favour of senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Waqar Mehdi who is now set to be elected unopposed as member of the Senate.

Talking to reporters, MQM-P leader Wasim Akhtar said that the MQM-P candidates would withdraw their nominations on Saturday (today).

“Both sides have resolved all issues pertaining to the Senate elections and local government system in the province,” PPP minister Nasir Shah said, adding: “The two parties have already agreed to appoint a person nominated by MQM as Karachi administrator.”

The talks were held over the directives of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari who had directed the Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to address all issues to the MQM-P.