LAHORE: A delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) led by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui called on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif here on Sunday and discussed modality for cooperation in the future federal set-up.

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb claimed that both sides agreed in principle on working together in the larger national interest.

She said that agreement had been reached on basic points between the PML-N and MQM-P but she would not elaborate on the same.

She said that the two sides exchanged various proposals on the likely federal set-up and also took into confidence each side on their so far contacts on government formation in the Centre.

In response to a question about the PML-N’s meeting with MQM-P, Atta Tarar earlier in a media talk said the discussion focused on how to move forward [politically] for the benefit of the country.

Farooq Sattar says his party didn’t discuss ministries in future set-up

It was claimed in some media reports that the MQM-P demanded the slot of Sindh governor, some federal ministries as well as taking it on board on development schemes to be executed by the federal government in Karachi.

However, MQM-P deputy convener Dr Farooq Sattar denied that they had put any such demands before the PML-N leadership.

“We didn’t discuss [distribution of] ministries in the government formation. Rather we discussed solving public problems through a joint strategy,” he insisted.

He said that the meeting with the PML-N was “very serious and positive” as the two sides discussed strategies for steering the country out of political and economic crises. He said that the PML-N agreed on introducing a constitutional amendment for making an effective local body system without which the country could not advance.

The PML-N team included Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal and Rana Sanaullah, while Sindh governor Kamran Tessori, Khalid Maqbool, Farooq Sattar, and Mustafa Kamal represented the MQM-P delegation.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2024