ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: Leading political parties are still engaged in consultations with smaller groups in an effort to form governments in the centre and the provinces.

Deputy coordinator of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Dr Farooq Sattar, talking to reporters here at the Election Commission office, said his party had been engaged in dialogues with many other parties.

Dr Sattar, who was visiting the Election Commission to witness the draw for the 10th seat reserved for non-Muslims, said all political parties had consulted the MQM for support.

He said the MQM had not made up its mind yet.

Dr Sattar said: “Political stability could only be ensured by providing maximum provincial autonomy so that the provinces should get maximum autonomy.”

He suggested the formulation of “a new constitution in accordance with the 1940 Pakistan Resolution to ensure maximum autonomy to provinces.”

Dr Sattar said there should also be a permanent solution and decision on the system “whether it should be parliamentary democracy or presidential democracy.”

Referring to incidents of alleged rigging in elections, he said, the MQM had reservations about many seats and has also filed petitions before the Election Tribunals in this regard.

Answering a question, he said, the MQM was even ready to face its opponents if there were to be fresh elections on the disputed seats, and added that they were also ready for fresh elections on all seats in Karachi or Sindh.

Regarding the return of the MQM leader, Altaf Hussain, he said, it had been decided that “he (Altaf Hussain) could guide the party in a better way while living abroad as he had to face 300 cases if he was back in Pakistan.”

About “any pressure from government” to join any particular party, he said, there was no pressure on the MQM.

He said the MQM had, however, given indications to support particular political parties or groups to form government.

The secretary-general of National Alliance, Muhammad Ali Durrani, talking to newsmen on this occasion said the NA was part of Grand Democratic Alliance and was working with other political parties to reach a consensus on the issue of the formation of government.

He said Sardar Farooq Ahmad Leghari and other National Alliance leaders were busy in consultations with other leaders. —APP