KARACHI, April 23: A disgruntled leader of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party was accorded a warm welcome by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement when he paid a visit to the latter’s headquarters, popularly known as Nine Zero, here on Saturday. Shah Mehmood Qureshi, a former foreign minister and the PPP leader who had developed differences with the top leadership of his party over the Raymond Davis issue, visited the MQM headquarters, where scores of workers, women included, showered rose petals on him and raised slogans upon his arrival.

He held a meeting with members of the MQM coordination committee and discussed issues relating to the country’s overall social, political and economic situation and of mutual interest. The meeting lasted for around one hour in which they offered fateha for slain MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq and legendry actor Moin Akhtar.

Later, Mr Qureshi along with MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar emerged from the Nine Zero and told reporters that he visited the MQM headquarters as a “common Pakistani”.

He said the country needed an honest and mature leadership which could think only for Pakistan.

He said Pakistan was facing many serious challenges, and the economic challenge was a big one. “The energy crisis and the law and order situation have a direct impact on the national economy and it is the need of the hour that the parties which want a strong and economically developed Pakistan should unite.”

In response to a question, the politician from Multan agreed that instead of levying the reformed general sales tax, an agriculture tax on the income of big landlords should be levied to improve the country’s economy.

Answering another question, he said Punjab is the biggest province of the country and for the sake of good governance there was no harm to review the demand for creating more provinces.

Although Mr Qureshi did not take a clear-cut stand on reports that the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) was all set to become part of the PPP-led coalition government, he told a questioner that he had reservations on any alliance meant for saving an individual, but there was no harm in making any alliance if it was for the sake of prosperity and progress of the people of Pakistan.

He praised MQM chief Altaf Hussain and said he was the one who gave a chance to people from the middle class to play their due role in the country’s politics. “I, as a Pakistani, fully endorse the decision of the MQM to enter into the national politics and we welcome the MQM in Punjab.”

Later, MQM leader Dr Sattar said the next budget would be a difficult task for the federal government and it should consider the MQM’s proposals for the economic development and prosperity of the people of the country.

Answering a question regarding the creation of more provinces in the country, he said the MQM would support any such move because it is a popular demand and there was a need to create more provinces in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.