Islamabad: Karachi-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Friday agreed to withdraw resignations of its lawmakers from the federal and provincial legislatures over alleged victimisation of its workers.

The decision was jointly announced by MQM leaders and two federal ministers at a news conference in Islamabad after talks during which it was decided that a committee be formed to address grievances of the influential party.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid and MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar told the media that a memorandum of understanding has been signed by the two sides.

In August, MQM’s seven members of the Senate and 24 members of the National Assembly as well as 51 lawmakers of the assembly of southern Sindh province tendered their resignations.

The resignations were kept pending as government, on the direction of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, launched efforts to persuade MQM to continue its role in the assemblies in the interest of stability of the democratic order in the country.

MQM has been angry over alleged “victimisation” of its workers during the ongoing operation led by paramilitary Rangers in Karachi, initiated over a year ago to curb rampant violence, crime, terrorism and corruption in the mega port city.

Memorandum of understanding

Rangers authorities deny the allegation and insist that the operation was being carried out against criminal elements and was not directed against any political party.

Farooq Sattar said MQM lawmakers would start from Monday the process of withdrawing their resignations.

“Both sides have agreed on a memorandum of understanding,” Finance Minister Dar said, adding that a five-member review committee would be formed in a week to resolve the issues.

As a result of the crackdown, the largest city of the country and its financial and business centre has reportedly witnessed a noticeable decline in criminal acts including targeted killings, extortion, land grabbing and terrorism.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the main opposition in the parliament, is in power in Sindh, where Karachi is the capital.

The PPP alleges that it is being targeted in the anticorruption crackdown by Rangers and federal agencies.

It complained that matching action was not being taken in Punjab, the most populous province and power base of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

The prime minister has repeatedly stressed that the operation in Karachi would continue until restoration of complete peace and order to the port city, home to around 20 million people.