KARACHI – As the PPP-led government is trying its best to woo back the renegade allies, President Asif Ali Zardari assured MQM chief Altaf Hussain late on Wednesday night that they would not let anyone to make the allied parties annoyed.
He promised to address all the reservations of the MQM and said necessary actions would be taken to accommodate them.
Zardari was talking to Altaf during a telephonic conversation, as the MQM chief pressed the president to listen their grievances. The top leaders of the two parties contacted in the presence of Sindh Governor Ishrat-ul-Ibad called on him twice at the Bilawal House in Karachi. Federal ministers Rehman Malik and Syed Khursheed Shah were also present on the occasion.
The hectic talks continued as the MQMÂ’s coordination committee held a meeting simultaneous in the metropolis and London.
Talking to media persons outside Bilawal House, Malik said Zardari had decided to stay in Karachi for next 10 days during which he would address all the reservations expressed the MQM once for all.
The two sides would list out all the differences and hold discussions in detail for finalising the matters, he said.
Rehman said those who were waiting for a clash between the two parties would remain unsuccessful as the allied parties would strengthen the mutual relations even further.
Replying to a question, he said any change in the Sindh cabinet was discretion of Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and he was not in a position to say any thing over the matter.
Earlier, President Zardari on Wednesday directed the Government of Sindh to continue reconciliation policy with its allies in the province.
However, after having a meeting with the president, the PPP ministers hinted at withdrawing plan regarding revival of old commissionerate system, which caused annoyance for MQM, sources said.
Zardari, during the meeting held at Bilawal House, was briefed by provincial ministers about the development works, performance of the ministers and law and order situation in the province. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, provincial ministers and PPP MPAs attended the meeting.
However, Advisor to CM on Information Ms. Sharmila Faruqui during her briefing to the media persons outside Bilawal House claimed that meeting did not discuss MQMÂ’s grievances and revival of Commissionerate System.
President Zardari directed the Government of Sindh that reconciliation process, which was initiated by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, would be continued with all the coalition partners including MQM, she added.
Meanwhile, sources privy to the meeting informed The Nation that President Zardari had directed the Sindh Chief Minister and Provincial Law Minister not to table bill for revival of Commissionerate System in the province unilaterally in the next session of the Assembly.
Earlier during a meeting with Sindh Governor Dr Eshratul Ebad at Bilawal House on Tuesday night, the President had also assured him of not tabling bill to abolish existing local government system and revive Commissionerate System in the province, sources said.
Meanwhile, Advisor to CM on Information Sharmila in her media briefing said that provincial ministers briefed President Zardari on the development works continued in the province.
Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza briefed the President about the overall law and order situation in the province. He shared the data of crime rate in province and there has been a significant decline in the crime ratio during the three-year period of the PPP government, she added.
She said that Advisor to CM on Planning and Development Kaisar Bengali and Provincial Minister for Rehabilitation of Flood Affectees, Haji Muzaffar Shujrah, briefed the President about the rehabilitation work in flood-affected areas. President Zardari asked the provincial legislators to regularly visit their constituencies to keep a close contact with their voters, she said.
The sources privy to the meeting further said that a PPP MPA Naeem Ahmad Kharal from Khairpur complained that no development works were being carried out in his constituency.
Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza while talking to media persons after the meeting said that his leaders had sacrificed their lives for democracy and he was also ready to sacrifice his ministry for the sake of democracy.