Muttahida ministers quit govt as PPP, MQM-P endorse agreement

The Mutahidda Quami Movement-Pakistan has decided to quit the government as its two ministers in the Imran Khan-led federal cabinet have resigned, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Federal Minister for Law Farogh Naseem and Federal Minister for Information Technology Aminul Haq have forwarded their resignations to the PM House, saying after MQM-P's decision to support the Opposition they have no reason left to stay in the cabinet.

Meanwhile, the central executive committee (CEC) of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Wednesday approved an agreement with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) regarding the no-confidence motion, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Informed sources confirmed to 24NewsHD that the PPP leadership held consultations with the party’s central executive committee and apprised it of all points of the agreement.

The PPP leadership took all members of the CEC into confidence regarding the agreement following which it approved agreement with the MQM-P.

Meanwhile, the MQM-P has also endorsed the agreement with PPP, said Aminul Haq said, adding the formal announcement will be made by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui at a news conference at 4:00 pm.

Earlier, after having marathon sessions with both government and opposition leaders all this week, the Mutahidda finally reached the decision to quit the beleaguered PTI government. MQM-P convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui will hold a presser in this connection and inform the people of his party’s decision. 

Members of Rabita Committee will also accompany Mr Siddiqui. 

Agreement reached between MQM, Opposition

Meanwhile, a written agreement has been reached between the MQM and the joint Opposition. Two of the MQM’s federal ministers: Aminul Haq and Ferogh Naseem have readied their resignations which they will present after a while.

Sources in the MQM blamed government for not reaching an accord with it saying that the government was too slothful and Prime Minister Imran Khan was an egoist. The premier kept sending his ministers but he did not bother to visit the MQM leaders.  

On the other hand, sources continued, the entire leadership of opposition parties came to meet the MQM leaders again and again.

It’s too late now if Prime Minister Imran Khan himself pays a visit to the MQM leaders, sources said adding that the Rabita Committee would only endorse the agreement between the MQM and Opposition. 

MQM-P Rabita Committee meets today 

The MQM-P Rabita Committee is meeting at Bahadurabad in Karachi at 2pm today to endorse the agreement. 

MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari said: “We are not going to review our decision. The situation has gone beyond that. The national politics cannot bear any extremism. If the friends in government want to meet us, they are most welcome.” 

Late-night parleys 

The Opposition and the MQM-P reached an agreement late Tuesday night under which the Muttahida would support the joint Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The TV channel quoting Maulana Fazlur Rehman reported that the joint news conference of leaders from both sides would be held at 4:00 pm.

Govt offer to MQM-P

On the other hand, in a statement, the Sindh governor said he conveyed an important message of PM Khan to MQM-P convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. “We have assured that MQM-P’s reservations will be addressed,” he said and added that the government was willing to meet all demands of the coalition partner.

“We offered one more ministry and are willing to give whatever they will ask for,” the governor said and added “Our doors are open. We hope that MQM-P will make a decision after a careful thought.”

He said he had no knowledge of the agreement between MQM-P and the joint Opposition.

Reporters Usman Khan and Usman Javed