KARACHI: The Pakis­tan Peoples Party (PPP) on Saturday reacted strongly over Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s decision to support Pakis­tan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in forming its government at the Centre.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, senior PPP leader Taj Haider described the intended relationship as “imprac­tical”, arguing that most of the nine points of the MQM-P’s agreement with the PTI fell in the ambit of the provincial (Sindh) govern­ment. It cited the relevant provisions of the 18th constitutional amendment to substantiate its claim.

Former PPP senator Taj Haider wondered what made MQM-P leaders go for joining hands with a party which they believed had stolen its mandate in Karachi in the recent general elections.

He was of the view that the agreement between the two sides was prepared and signed in haste and raised key questions about its practic­ability and im­plementa­tion.

“Setting up universities, water supply for Karachi citizens and other points do not fall within the domain of the federal government,” said Mr Haider, adding: “If they [MQM-P] are serious in the implementation of these points, then they have to talk to the PPP government in Sindh”.

The PPP leader said it was interesting to note that one signatory of the agreement on establishing universities in Sindh cities had deprived youngsters of books and armed them with guns while the other one failed to set up any reputable educational institu­tion during its five-year term in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Questioning the deal — which says that recom­mendations of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Karachi’s population census would be implemen­ted while the PTI would also favour a petition filed in the Supreme Court with regard to local bodies system in Sindh — Mr Haider said that it was not Karachi alone which was deprived of its due rights through census, pointing out that there were other cities of the province as well which had suffered due to the census results.

“It would not be fair to segregate Karachi from all other cities through such an agreement. The agreement negates a consensus among all parties, including MQM-P and PTI, having representation in Senate about the census and its results,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2018