KARACHI:
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has quit its role as opposition in
Sindh and joined the government as a coalition partner of the ruling
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
Two MQM nominees took oath on Tuesday as ministers in the provincial government headed by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.This was the seventh time the MQM has joined the government as a junior partner in Sindh and the third time it has joined the cabinet with the PPP under Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah.
The Muttahida this time too nominated its trusted and experienced party men to the cabinet who served as ministers in the last government in the province. Both parties were engaged in negotiations for a year on forming a coalition and finally the talks were successful on Monday.
Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad decided the date for the oath-taking of the MQM ministers.The governor administered oath to the newly-inducted ministers on Tuesday evening at the Governor’s House and the leaders of both the parties as well as prominent citizens and senior officials were there to witness the occasion.
The MQM left the government in 1988 after differences with the PPP on the issue of military operation. However, the MQM this time joined the government with the PPP when the operation was going on in Karachi and the MQM claimed that its workers and supporters were being targeted in the operation.
Two days ago, the MQM claimed that its 47 workers had been kidnapped, others killed and hundreds jailed in addition to scores detained under the PPO without any reason.The MQM is the second largest party in Sindh and its leader Faisal Sabswari was nominated as the leader of the opposition in the House. However, the MQM changed its mind and now two of its nominees – Dr Saghir Ahmed and Rauf Siddiqi – have taken oath as ministers. The party expects more ministries in the second phase.
Portfolios for these two ministers would be announced later. The MQM demanded the major portfolio of local government and excise during the talks. The party expected the same portfolios that it held during the 2008 to 2012 governments. However, the PPP leadership has some reservations on the demand but Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly directed his party and the chief minister to accommodate the MQM at all costs.
Two MQM nominees took oath on Tuesday as ministers in the provincial government headed by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.This was the seventh time the MQM has joined the government as a junior partner in Sindh and the third time it has joined the cabinet with the PPP under Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah.
The Muttahida this time too nominated its trusted and experienced party men to the cabinet who served as ministers in the last government in the province. Both parties were engaged in negotiations for a year on forming a coalition and finally the talks were successful on Monday.
Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad decided the date for the oath-taking of the MQM ministers.The governor administered oath to the newly-inducted ministers on Tuesday evening at the Governor’s House and the leaders of both the parties as well as prominent citizens and senior officials were there to witness the occasion.
The MQM left the government in 1988 after differences with the PPP on the issue of military operation. However, the MQM this time joined the government with the PPP when the operation was going on in Karachi and the MQM claimed that its workers and supporters were being targeted in the operation.
Two days ago, the MQM claimed that its 47 workers had been kidnapped, others killed and hundreds jailed in addition to scores detained under the PPO without any reason.The MQM is the second largest party in Sindh and its leader Faisal Sabswari was nominated as the leader of the opposition in the House. However, the MQM changed its mind and now two of its nominees – Dr Saghir Ahmed and Rauf Siddiqi – have taken oath as ministers. The party expects more ministries in the second phase.
Portfolios for these two ministers would be announced later. The MQM demanded the major portfolio of local government and excise during the talks. The party expected the same portfolios that it held during the 2008 to 2012 governments. However, the PPP leadership has some reservations on the demand but Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly directed his party and the chief minister to accommodate the MQM at all costs.
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