KARACHI, April 30: The Pakistan People’s Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement have struck a power-sharing deal in Sindh “to take the process of national reconciliation forward”.The differences regarding the local government system and other related issues would be addressed amicably through mutual consultation.

This was stated by PPP Senior Minister Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq and MQM Coordination Committee Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar.

Both of them, who are members of the negotiation team of their respective party, were speaking at a crowded press conference at the Chief Minister’s House on Wednesday. They briefed journalists on the outcome of their last round of talks on Tuesday night held in the Governor’s House.

The others present on the occasion were Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, Shazia Marri, Syed Murad Ali Shah of the PPP, and Syed Sardar Ahmad, Babar Ghauri and Adil Siddiqui of the MQM.

Referring to the background of their negotiations finalised last night, Pir Mazhar said the purpose of the dialogue was neither to get ministries nor to bargain on issues but to take the vision of national reconciliation forward as was the mission of the late Benazir Bhutto.

“The vision and approach of the late Benazir Bhutto called for shunning bickering and mutual differences to move forward, strengthen democracy and put the country on the road to progress and prosperity,” he said.

The minister said that after the Oct 18 tragedy when an MQM delegation called on her to offer condolences for those who were killed, Ms Bhutto told them “enough is enough. Let us work to create a congenial atmosphere and everyone should work for the cause of Pakistan”.

Pir Mazhar said the world was critical of our attitudes and were amazed on our lagging behind in the international community despite our rich resources and having skilled manpower.

He said if our people who were victim of poverty and unemployment had no right to benefit from the fruits of advanced knowledge and scientific achievements.

The minister appreciated the role played by the MQM by ending its boycott and extending unconditional support to ensure unopposed election of the prime minister, chief minister, provincial assembly speaker and deputy speaker.

He said later when a PPP delegation went to condole the death of the father of Dr Farooq Sattar, the process of dialogues resumed without any hitch.

Pir Mazhar said that in view of the positive approach of the MQM, “the PPP also decided to take two steps forward”.

He said in such an atmosphere of reconciliation the portfolios did not matter much. “Our issues are complicated for want of exploitation of natural resources, which are abundant in the province. He said these resources could only be utilised for the benefit of the people if there was stability and peace in the province.

He said they were making a beginning with good intentions without any written agreement as “the outcome of a past written agreement is before us”. “Our efforts will be to come to the expectations of the people,” he added. Dr Farooq Sattar said their talks for the last many days bore fruit as their focus was on having good relations between the PPP and the MQM and this was the basic objective of the power-sharing formula.

He said the vision of national reconciliation of Ms Bhutto and the principles she laid down her life for were similar to those of “our leader Altaf Hussain’s who had desired after the 2002 elections to have formed a government with the PPP”. For the last two years the MQM chief had been stressing that all political forces in the country should sit together to formulate a joint strategy to confront the many issues faced by the country.Dr Farooq Sattar said that it was no secret that the MQM, since the Oct 18 homecoming of Ms Bhutto, had been extending unconditional support to the PPP.

Likewise, the mandate given to different parties in the 2008 elections was accepted by the MQM and the desire was expressed by the MQM chief to work with all elected parties and “our unconditional support to the PPP in the election of chief minister, speaker and deputy speaker was part of that spirit”.

The MQM leader said that the purpose of this support was to make successful the process of national reconciliation and work together in the province so that the law and order be stabilised, democratic institutions allowed to take root and the rural-urban divide be bridged so that the problems of energy, water, the national finance commission and provincial autonomy be solved and progress and prosperity achieved.

When asked if the change of governor was also discussed, Pir Mazhar said the governor was the representative of the federation. Dr Zulfiqar Mirza said Governor Ishratul Ibad might be the nominee of any party but now “he is our man”.

Answering another question, Dr Farooq Sattar said the differences over the local government system and other related issues would be addressed through dialogue and mutual consultation.

Babar Ghauri in his brief statement said the purpose of dialogue was to create an atmosphere of brotherhood in the province, bring rural and urban populations closer and exploit resources for the people’s benifit.