KARACHI, Dec 11: PPP parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has criticized PML (Q) leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain for stating that he (Shujaat) had persuaded the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to give up its claim to the top slot in the province in order to prevent the PPP from using the Sindh card.

“There cannot be a more blatant interference in the provincial matters and autonomy by the representatives of the centre to prevent the PPP, which is the majority party in Sindh Assembly, from forming the government,” said Mr Khuhro while talking to newsmen here on Wednesday.

He said the ruling party had failed to muster support of the required number of MPAs-elect and should acknowledge its defeat because, he added, it was not the PPP but the pro-regime elements who had sought postponement of the Assembly session for achieving the desired results.

He said Shujaat Hussain had no right to interfere in the provincial matters to facilitate the proxy of the pro-government minority group.

He said the PPP had never objected to the MQM’s claim to the chief minister’s slot and had maintained that if they were able to get support of the smaller groups for formation of the government, they should go ahead. But if they were unable to do so, then they should let the PPP use its democratic right.

Mr Khuhro said the MQM should now explain to the people its shifting stance and added that the PPP’s position was not based on ethnic consideration.

He also criticized the rude attitude of federal information minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmad with journalists who were invited to the State Guest House for a briefing on Chaudhry Shujaat’s efforts to put together a new set-up in Sindh.

Meanwhile, in a meeting of the PPP MPAs-elect at the Bilawal House, resentments were expressed over prime minister’s attempt to suggest names for the PPP candidate for the provincial top slot.

MPA-elect Razaq Maher was not present on the occasion. The meeting expressed concern over reports that the establishment had planned to round up the PPP MPAs-elect to prevent them from attending the Assembly session.