KARACHI, Oct 26: The National Alliance leaders on Saturday conceded the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s right to chief ministership, on certain conditions.

This indication was given by Alliance leaders after talks with the MQM leaders at Nine Zero, pertaining to government formation.

The hint was dropped by Arbab Rahim when reporters asked him after the talks whether the NA was prepared to accept MQM’s chief minister.

The alliance delegation comprised Imtiaz Shaikh, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Murtaza Jatoi, Syed Jalal Mahmood Shah, Alhaj Shamimuddin and others. MQM side consisted of Aftab Shaikh, Nasreen Jaleel, Shaikh Liaquat Hussain and Sardar Ahmed.

According to sources, it was surprising that the Alliance, which does not have a sizable number in the provincial assembly compared to that of the PPP and the MQM and cannot on its own form a government, was making conditional offer to a party which has more than double its numbers in the provincial assembly.

The sources, however, maintained that the talks took place in the backdrop of rapidly changing scenario at the federal level.

Talking to newsmen, deputy convener of the MQM coordination committee Aftab Shaikh emphasised the need for continuing dialogue and vowed to work for a stable government at the centre and in the province.

Referring to talks with the NA leaders, he said such a dialogue should continue, adding that both the sides discussed matters pertaining to government formation at the centre and in the province.

He said in Sindh the situation was very clear and the MQM wanted to engage all the parties in negotiations. He emphasised that no wrong interpretation should be given to his second meeting with the SDA leaders.

Mr Shaikh said that so far 20,000 suggestions of the people on the formation of a government have been sifted through and their number was expected to swell beyond 50,000.

SDA leader Arbab Rahim said there was no clash of interest with the MQM and he was satisfied with the outcome of the talks.