KARACHI: Though former president Asif Ali Zardari’s meetings with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Senator Rehman Malik on Friday were officially termed “routine meetings”, sources said he discussed several important issues with the two, particularly matters arising out of a police officer’s claims that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was involved in “anti-state” activities.

Analysts were attaching considerable significance to the PPP co-chairman’s meeting with Dr Ibad because MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi had directly linked Mr Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and “a third personality” to the press conference at which the police officer alleged that Indian agents had trained many MQM workers.

The PPP did not refute the MQM’s claim officially, but apparently to show that it was not behind the “explosive” press conference transferred the officer in question.

According to the sources, Mr Zardari and Dr Ibad discussed “some important issues including political and security matters, particularly those pertaining to Sindh and Karachi”.

They said that during the meeting Mr Zardari seemed eager to allay the concerns of the MQM regarding its relations with the PPP. The meeting with Dr Ibad provided an appropriate opportunity for Mr Zardari to attempt to do so because the governor has been the chief medium for any contact between the two parties in the event of misunderstandings.

The sources said the meeting was rather brief because Mr Zardari had gone to the Governor House primarily to attend a media conference.

Meanwhile, after meeting Mr Zardari at the Bilawal House, Senator Malik told reporters that his party’s doors — and not that of the provincial government — were open for the MQM.

He said that some two months ago, before the security situation in Karachi had worsened, the two parties had agreed to form a coalition government but the power-sharing formula had yet to be finalised. “But then the situation changed, and we could not meet again,” he said.

When asked about MQM’s call for a separate province, Mr Malik said making such a demand was the party’s democratic right but it would be the Sindh Assembly and then the National Assembly which would have the final say in the matter.

He said that no political party should have a “negative stance” on the armed forces but added that no police officer should be allowed to pass judgments against any political party.

According to the analysts, it is heartening to note that the PPP chief wants to maintain good relations with the MQM even though it has assumed the role of an opposition party in the provincial assembly.

“It is good for the two largest parties of Sindh to have good relations, whether they are partners in government or political rivals in the assembly,” said an analyst.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play