Ishaq Dar confirms contacts with MQM Updated : Monday July 4 , 2011 10:30:18 PM
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Senator, Ishaq Dar confirmed on Monday his faction’s contacts with Muttahida Qaumi Movement in an effort to convince the later for formulation of a grand opposition alliance, ARY NEWS reports.
“We have contacted MQM’s Farooq Sattar and other leaders. We have been in contact with each other and meetings will also take place shortly,” Dar said while talking to newsmen at Lahore airport upon his arrival from London.
Dar said he would soon contact Altaf Hussain and other opposition leaders in connection with PML-N’s efforts to buildup up pressure on the Zardari government.
PML-N central leader, Mian Shahbaz Shahrif is currently in London where he held a meeting with MQM’s Farooq Sattar here Monday in London.
Sources said the leaders met at a luncheon hosted by Andrew Stephenson, the chairman of British-Pakistani parliamentary group, at Britain’s House of Common.
They said the two leaders of rival parties also held a brief one-on-one meeting on the occasion.
The meeting came in the backdrop of MQM’s defection to PPP-led government in centre and Sindh province.
The move is hailed by PML-N, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Faz Urrehman) and key religious party Jamat-e-Islami as an effort to strive together to steer the country out of present turmoil.
Shahbaz Sharif, who is also Chief Minister Punjab, has invited all political parties including the MQM to attend a grand opposition moot.
Talking to media in London Shahbaz said that all political parties should unite to think over the worsening situation of Pakistan.
Sharif is expected to meet MQM chief Altaf Hussain to urge him for a campaign against the government.
Few party members from Punjab assembly are also accompanying the PML-N leader and during his visit meant for his physical checkup. He is also scheduled to meet overseas Pakistanis and businessmen from both the countries.
Meanwhile, JUI chief Fazlur Rehman is also due in London to discuss formation of the grand opposition alliance. He has met several politicians over the alliance and also talked with Altaf Hussain on phone.
In another development, MQM on Monday announced its participation in the postponed elections for certain seats of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
Earlier, the MQM quit the PPP-led coalition government after the postponement of Azad Kashmir election in Karachi for the two seats.
MQM spokesman Wasey Jalil said the decision to participate in the elections was made after the Muzaffarabad High Court directed the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly to schedule elections for the LA-30 (Jammu-I) and LA-36 (Kashmir Valley-I) seats.
‘MQM's Grievances to be Addressed’
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday said the genuine grievances of MQM would be addressed to keep the coalition intact, in line with the government’s reconciliation policy.
The Prime Minister expressed these views while talking to Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Senior Minister Ch. Pervez Elahi, who called on him at the PM House.
http://www.arynews.tv/english/newsdetail.asp?nid=47167
