ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday offered to act as a mediator between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in order to narrow the differences that have arose between the two parties.

Political relations between the MQM and PPP turned sour after PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah made certain remarks against Mohajirs.

The mediation offer was made during a meeting between a delegation comprising MQM members and PM Nawaz at the Prime Minister House in the federal capital. During the meeting, the MQM delegation took the premier into confidence over its relations with the PPP.

Sources told Dawn that the MQM delegation, comprising Dr Farooq Sattar, Nasreen Jalil, Rashid Godil and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui also discussed the prevailing political situation in the country with the premier, especially in the province of Sindh.

Also read: Sindh Governor accepts resignations of MQM ministers

The prime minister was assisted during the meeting by Information Minister Pervez Rashid, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique and Political Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Asif Kirmani.

One of the meeting’s participants, on the condition of anonymity, told Dawn that Sattar while thanking the premier said he would consult party leaders over the mediation offer.

During the meeting, the premier also called upon the democratically elected forces to work in unison for the development and progress of Sindh.

The premier also said that directions have been passed on to the concerned persons to ensure timely completion of ongoing development projects in Karachi.

Prime Minister Nawaz also said that a difference of opinion is the beauty of democracy and was aimed at the country’s development and people’s betterment.

"Our constitution provides ample space for debate to all democratic forces in the country," he said.

The premier said that during the last few months, Pakistan had witnessed an exemplary display of parliamentary democracy and rule of law in which all political parties had expressed solidarity with the system for ensuring the supremacy of democracy and strengthening of democratic institutions in the country.

He asked members of the meeting to work for the unity and prosperity of Pakistan and resolve mutual differences through dialogue in a cordial manner.