KARACHI, Dec 18: Chief Minister Ali Muhammad Mahar has declared that there will be no ‘no-go areas’ in Pakistan saying that the entire country is open to all and everybody is free to go wherever he likes.

He was talking to newsmen at ‘Nine-Zero’, the headquarters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement which he visited on Wednesday to pay a courtesy call.

The CM said: “Past is now a closed chapter,” and assured the MQM leadership that the quota system issue would be resolved through mutual negotiations.

“I am overwhelmed by the love and affection accorded to me by my friends at the Nine-Zero,” he remarked and pledged that he would be visiting the MQM headquarters in future.

He stressed the need for a joint struggle for the solidarity, stability and progress of Sindh for which, he said, “we will continue to hold consultations with each other with an aim of keeping the rural and urban people satisfied with our handling and settling of important issues.” He also pledged jobs for the youth of Sindh.

The chief minister reiterated his determination to provide maximum possible relief to the people of Sindh through a perfect governance for which, he said, mutual cooperation was essential.

He conveyed his gratitude to the MQM chief, Altaf Hussain, and the Coordination Committee of the party for extending support to him. He expressed his concerned over the poor health of Altaf Bhai and prayed for his early recovery.

Referring to his visit to the Kingri House, Mr Mahar said “Pir Saheb is our elder and senior and I was blessed by him.”

When asked whether the cabinet or the new governor would be inducted first, he said: “Allah knows better.”

Earlier, on his arrival at the Nine-Zero, the CM was received by the MQM’s parliamentary party leader, Syed Sardar Ahmad, deputy convener of the party’s coordination committee, Shaikh Liaquat Hussain, and Shoaib Ahmad Bokhari. Mr Mahar was accompanied by the Naib Nazim of Karachi, Tariq Hasan.

The ensuing informal talks with the CM were attended by Kanwar Khalid Yunus, Kanwar Naveed Jamil and some MPAs.

Mr Mahar told the MQM Coordination Committee that his government would take along the allies and strive hard to creat a harmonious relationship between each other. He said that he would welcome any proposal by the MQM for the solution of problems in the interest of the province.

Shaikh Liaquat Hussain and Shoaib Bokhari reciprocated the gestures and held out the assurance that the MQM would extend fullest cooperation to the government to address the grievances of the Sindh people.

They expressed their hope that Mr Mahar would succeed in coming up to the expectations of the people and fulfil all his responsibilities as the chief minister.

Later, talking to newsmen, Mr Bokhari and Syed Sardar said that the MQM’s participation in the provincial cabinet would be determined on the basis of proportionate representation.

To a question, they said that the MQM had put forward no demand for the arrest of any particular person. However, they added, it was duty of the police to arrest those wanted for violating laws.

“We want no-go areas to be opened up and displaced families to be rehabilitated,” they said.

They stressed that writ of law must be enforced and people should have the right of free movement and participation in all sorts of lawful activities, including political and social, at their sweet will.

Responding to a question, Shoaib Bokhari said: “Our priority is to serve Sindh and its permanent citizens as effectively as we can.”

Regarding local bodies elections, he said it was purely a provincial matter.

Syed Sardar Ahmed, replying to a question about the NFC Award, said that the MQM wanted a revision so as to ensure restoration of Sindh’s due share in the Award.