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KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari called Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain on Saturday and discussed with him matters relating to the proposed legislation on the new local government system in Sindh and the overall political situation in the country.
Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar confirmed the telephonic conversation between the president and the MQM chief, but did not give details.
When contacted, MQM’s media cell at its Nine Zero headquarters also avoided providing any details of the conversation by saying that the President House should be contacted for the purpose.
According to sources, the MQM chief is understood to have suggested early passage of the legislation by the provincial assembly to avoid confusion and ambiguity.
After the lapse of the Local Government Ordinance on Nov 5, the Pakistan People’s Party and the MQM had decided to introduce a ‘durable’ local government system in the province in accordance with the Constitution and law.
The PPP had told the MQM that it needed time to consult other coalition partners on the issue.
The MQM leadership has been asking the president to give them certain assurances on the new LG legislation.
The Muttahida did not object to the revival of the commissioner system for the intervening period. It is not clear what kind of the LG system the two parties are working on. What remains clear is that they are trying to reach a consensus system that will satisfy all the stakeholders.
