KARACHI, Jan 3: President Asif Ali Zardari called London-based MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Thursday and exchanged views with him on political developments in the country.

A brief statement issued by President’s spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar said that Mr Altaf Hussain had assured the President that MQM would continue to support the PPP and the government.

The MQM also issued a press release from London in which it said the two leaders had cordially exchanged views on the overall political situation and matters of mutual interest. They agreed that the survival of democratic system and its continuity was essential for stability of the country and was the need of the hour.

They also called for resolving all issues with harmony for strengthening democracy.

Mr Hussain told the President that the MQM was an ally of the PPP-led coalition and there was no truth in reports that it was parting ways with the government.

“The MQM is a democratic party and it stands for continuity of democratic system. There was consensus among the two leaders that mutual cooperation would continue for the sake of stability of the country and promotion of democratic system.”