KARACHI, Oct 31: Amid overtures from the federal capital, the Muttahdia Qaumi Movement’s coordination committee on Thursday dashed all hopes of a coalition with the PPP in Sindh by declaring that the Sindh cause was not dear to the PPP chairperson.

This was in spite of Benazir Bhutto’s letter to the MNAs, urging them to forget the past and make a fresh beginning for a better future.

After long deliberations on the evolving political situation, the MQM coordination committee, in a statement, said it had negotiated with the PPP in the larger interest of Sindh, despite extarjudicial killings and atrocities committed by it.

It said that instead of being sorry Ms Bhutto held the MQM responsible for the wrong done by the PPP, which is not only regrettable but unprincipled as well.

Commenting on the PPP chairperson’s refusal to make a “written apology” for securing MQM’s support in the formation of government, Aftab Shaikh said his party had never asked for any written apology.

“What we wanted was that they should realize that excess had been committed by them,” said deputy convener of MQM coordination committee.

He repeated the MQM’s contention that such a gesture could help satisfy the concerns of its electorate and activists. He added it would be a good thing if the two forces of Sindh joined hand.

When asked why only the PPP was being singled out when the MQM suffered also during the PML government, Shaikh said that his party understands that, and that is why it has kept its door open for everyone.

Shaikh clarified that the MQM had not been “marginalized” as it had received numerous telephone calls from Islamabad and its 13 MNAs-elect have become very relevant.

There are also reports that the MMA had decided to engage the MQM on constitutional and other matters.

Shaikh’s assessment is that the PPP and MMA would not join the government.