KARACHI, Feb 28: A delegation of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) held talks with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders here on Thursday. The talks did not result in working out a formula for power-sharing in the province but the two sides agreed to meet again in a couple of days.

The PPP delegation comprising its provincial chief Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Prof N.D. Khan, Misbahur Rehman and Zulfiqar Qaimkhani visited the MQM headquarters for the talks. The MQM was represented by Shoaib Bukhari, Sardar Ahmed, Hyder Rizvi, Faisal Subzwari, Nisar Panwhar and Waseem Akhtar. The meeting lasted over an hour.

Insiders told Dawn that neither the PPP nor the MQM raised the issue of forming a coalition in Sindh. The MQM, however, maintained that it would support the PPP on the issues of Kalabagh dam, provincial autonomy and National Finance Commission award even if it sat in the opposition.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Prof Khan said: “We are here to extend the policy of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to develop a consensus among the political parties and work collectively for the promotion of democracy and prosperity of Pakistan.”

The meeting, he said, was held in a cordial atmosphere and termed it a first step towards achieving the objective. He made it clear that there had been no discussion about formation of a coalition government.

He expressed the hope that issue-oriented dialogue would lead to progress of Sindh and the country. He said the delegation would give its report to the party leadership.

Mr Rizvi said the MQM would unconditionally support all constructive policies of the new government. “We want to give a clear message to the whole country that the MQM is ready to cooperate with all democratic powers for the promotion of peace and harmony.”

He said that it was a preliminary round and he hoped that the dialogue process would continue. He said the MQM had also raised the issue of compensation to the victims of the Dec 27 violence.