ISLAMABAD, Aug 5: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday once again invited the disgruntled Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to rejoin the government, promising to address its demands and concerns.

President Zardari made the offer during a meeting with Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan at the Presidency on Friday, a source in the Presidency told Dawn.

Before the meeting in Islamabad, leaders of the two sides had issued reconciliatory statements that led to speculation that the MQM might consider rejoining the government.

The meeting of President Zardari with Mr Ibad is itself a significant development because they have met for the first time after Muttahidda quit the ruling coalition in June. President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar did not give details and only said that law and order situation in Karachi was discussed at the

meeting. “The president later hosted a dinner for the governor Sindh.”

Responding to a question about the possibility of the MQM returning to the government, he said: “We are trying to convince them to rejoin the coalition.”

Heads of the ruling coalition on Wednesday gave a mandate to President Zardari to hold negotiations with MQM to address its grievances so that the party could rejoin the government.

The last meeting between the governor and the president was held at Bilawal House in Karachi on July 19.

Sources in the Presidency said that while inviting the MQM to rejoin the government the president gave assurance that its demands would be met.

It has been decided that the recently enforced commissioner system in Sindh, which has been vehemently opposed by the MQM, will be amended in a way that it will remain unchanged in rural areas but in urban areas, including Karachi, the previous local government system will be restored.

A source in the MQM said the party could join the government if its demands, including the wrapping up of commissioner system in Karachi, were met.