KARACHI, Oct 6: Terming the National Reconciliation Ordinance the beginning of a new political culture, Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has called upon all political parties to forget their disputes with each other and sit together for solidarity and integrity of Pakistan.

He was addressing from London a large number of people who had gathered at the party’s Nine Zero headquarters on Saturday night to celebrate the victory of General Pervez Musharraf.About the NRO, Mr Hussain said that while all parties had sought indemnity only for their leaders, the MQM demanded withdrawal of cases of workers of all parties and succeeded in getting it included in the ordinance.

He said reconciliation was the need of the hour and all parties should forget their disputes with each other and sit together to evolve a strategy to deal with the challenges of extremism and terrorism.

He condemned what he termed negative and non-serious attitude of opposition parties at a time when the country was at a critical juncture.

He congratulated Gen Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Pakistan Muslim League and all other allied parties for “winning” the presidential election.