KARACHI, April 5: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Saturday night announced that it would vote for candidates of the Pakistan People’s Party in elections for speaker and deputy speaker in the Sindh Assembly.

A negotiating committee of the two parties met twice — on Friday night and Saturday — to thrash out a power-sharing arrangement in Sindh.

The first meeting took place at the residence of Senator Babar Ghauri and the second was held at the residence of PPP leader Dr Zulfiqar Mirza.

The Muttahida was represented by Dr Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri and Adil Siddiqui, while Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Pir Mazharul Haq, Dr Mirza, N.D. Khan and Murad Ali Shah represented PPP.

Sources told Dawn that the MQM had sought the post of deputy speaker, but the People’s Party turned down the request, offering some ministries instead.

Sources said the two parties would meet again on Sunday to finalise portfolios in the provincial cabinet.

An MQM leader told Dawn that the talks might hit a snag if PPP refused to give MQM any of its desired portfolios.