Karachi: Despite two visits, one by Prime Minister Imran Khan and the other one by Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, the key Karachi-based ally of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government is still non-committal when it comes to announcing support for the PM. Khan is facing a crucial no-confidence motion in parliament.
The PM visited the headquarters of Muttahida Quami Movement Pakistan (MQM) in Karachi on March 9, after the Opposition submitted the no-confidence motion against him in the National Assembly. It was the first time that any incumbent PM has visited the MQM’s headquarters after it shifted its location from Azizabad area of Karachi to Bahadurabad.
The MQM, which has seven lawmakers in the National Assembly, carries central importance for the success or failure of the no-confidence move against the PM. Two lawmakers of the party are members of Imran Khan’s cabinet - Aminul Haq is Federal Minister for Information Technology and Senator Dr Farogh Nasim is the Law Minister.
The Opposition has asked the MQM and other allies of the PTI’s federal government to support the no-confidence move against the PM and become part of the new coalition government.
The Sindh Governor accompanied by PTI leaders visited the MQM’s headquarters on Sunday night and met top leaders of the party.
The Governor said the PTI’s delegation had come to the headquarters of the coalition partner to formally request its support against the no-confidence motion.
He said the government had faith in its allies as the MQM had always supported it whenever it faced any challenge.
He said the MQM was requested to keep supporting the government keeping in view the changing political scenario and international relations of Pakistan.
He said the alliance between PTI and MQM stood for the welfare of the people of Sindh.
MQM Convener, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, said that a general meeting of the workers of his party would be convened to take a final decision on side with the government or otherwise regarding the pending no-confidence motion.
Regardless of whatever decision the MQM took, the democratic dispensation in the country should continue without any interruption, Dr Siddiqui added.
