KARACHI, Dec 22: Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar on Monday brushed aside any threat to his government, citing support from Pir Saheb Pagara, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Mumtaz Bhutto and Altaf Hussain.
However, the group of estranged ministers and MPAs also appeared firm in opposing Mr Mahar’s position reiterating that they would comply with the directives of the PML chief, Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain, only.
Both the sides are engaged in a show of strength taking advantage of the apparent ‘ceasefire’ ordered by Chaudhary Shujaat until passage of the LFO and conclusion of Saarc summit, Nevertheless, it seems that all is not well in the Sindh coalition and a showdown is likely in the second half of the next month, sources said.
The chief minister, addressing PML-Q workers at the CM House on Mondayaccused some ‘trouble makers’ of causing damage to the unity and cause of the party that had achieved Pakistan.
At the gathering, apparently a show of strength, the CM claimed that he still enjoyed support of party workers and vowed to frustrate designs of those trying to destabilize the party and his government.
He said that the party would be reorganised at different levels and that the problems being faced by the workers would be resolved on priority basis. The gathering of loyalists, led by Aleem Adil Shaikh, assured Mr Mahar of their full support. They included Sahibzada Munir, Haleem Adil Shaikh, Azad Bin Haider, Ghazanfar Hidayetullah, Syed Shahabuddin Shah Hussain, Mahfoozyar Khan, Dr Sultana Ibrahim, Sameen Siddiqui and Ghulam Qadir Malkani.
Meanwhile, a delegation of four MPAs — Zulfiqar Ali Kumario, Sadaqat Ali Jatoi, Mir Abid Ali Jatoi and Ahsan Ali Jatoi — called on the chief minister and reposed confidence in his leadership. At least two of them, including Mr Kumario, had attended the meeting of the estranged MPAs. Minister Usman Malkani, adviser Ghulam Rasool Unnar, ex-minister Ghulam Qadir Malkani were also present at the meeting.
Other ministers who met the CM on Monday were Syed Sardar Ahmed, Pir Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi and Syed Ijaz Shah Sheerazi.
According to sources, these ministers are of the view that there is a complete understanding and harmony among the coalition partners. They condemn those who are waging a campaign against him.
The chief minister again rejected the allegation by certain ministers that the work of those from PPP or PML-N is done at the CM House.
After the gathering, Mr Mahar left for Islamabad for further consultations with Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain and to participate in the parliamentary party’s meeting.
The estranged group of legislators assembled at the residence of Altaf Hussain Unnar. The meeting, chaired by Pappoo Shah, observed that the problem that had prompted them to take their case to the central leadership persisted. Those present included two MNAs and 16 MPAs. Except for Ehsan Jatoi and Sadaqat Jatoi, all the participants signed the attendance roll.
The group claimed it had been given some assurances by the central leadership. The legislators pledged to abide by the central command’sdirectives with regard to the LFO and upcoming Senate election on the late Maulana Noorani’s seat. They agreed to keep in touch with the party chief and claimed that Mr Mahar’s camp was using coercive measure to undermine their strength and that many of them were subjected to threats.