Pakistan: PPP led Govt in doldrums

MQM [Muttahida Qaumi Movement] leaders Faisal Sabzwari and Abbas Haider Rizvi while announcing the decision here Sunday said that MQM would not and should not be the party to any action or decision taken by the government against the interest of the people.

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Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Pak Observer | National
By Amanullah Khan | January 3, 2010

MQM decides to sit on Opposition benches, Gilani confident govt will not collapse, Meets Shahbaz today

Karachi—Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has decided to sit on the opposition benches in the National Assembly by asserting not to be the part of the government in anti-people decisions especially the exorbitant hike in petroleum prices which it called the worst kind of indirect taxes in the country.

MQM Chief Altaf Hussain approved the unanimous decision of the Coordination Committee to part ways from the PPP-led [Pakistan People's Party] government at the federal level at an emergent joint session of Muttahida’s Coordination Committee simultaneously held in London and at nine zero in Karachi.


MQM leaders Faisal Sabzwari and Abbas Haider Rizvi while announcing the decision here Sunday said that MQM would not and should not be the party to any action or decision taken by the government against the interest of the people.

While describing the recent increase in petroleum prices as a “petrol bomb” on the poor of this country they said that their party also strongly opposed levy of RGST, unbearable increase in electricity tariffs and other back breaking economic decisions for the masses of this country. “In fact the decision has been taken on economic grounds as the rampant corruption in the public sector organisations as well as law and order situation have added to the plight and sufferings of the poor of this country.”

The decision by MQM to join opposition at the federal level has taken even the political circles by surprise and has brushed aside the wrong perception about MQM that it had the lust of power and had no heart for the masses.

Replying to a question Rizvi said that his party had a manifesto and would go ahead in the light of its manifesto. “However, we believe in serving and protecting the interest of the common man rather than pleasing to the elite, feudal lords and the corrupt who do not pay taxes rather they plundered the public money through a modus operandi of huge loans from banks and got that plenty of money written off by using their influence.

The sudden change in the composition of the National Assembly has rendered it vulnerable. Following loss of support from PML(N), PML(Q), JUI and MQM, the ruling party will have strength of 158 against 171 seats.

The MQM, which is the dominant political force in the country’s financial capital Karachi, last week withdrew its two ministers from the federal cabinet because of what it said was the government’s failure to improve security.

Analysts said forming a new coalition would likely be a protracted, delicate process and it was more likely that early elections would be called.

An MQM statement said the decision to break with the coalition was taken because of the government’s fuel price policies.

“Right at the start of the new year the government has raised the prices of petrol and kerosene oil which is unbearable for the people who are already under pressure from the already high prices,” it said.

“In such a situation, the MQM considers it unfair with the people of Pakistan to sit in the government. Therefore we have decided to sit on the opposition benches in the Senate and the National Assembly.”

Earlier, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid, Altaf Hussain said revolution has become fate of the country. People of lower and middle classes, comprising 98% of the total population of the country are the lone guarantee for survival and stability of country. Altaf Hussain said this in his telephonic address to MQM Zonal Organization Committee, party’s women wing, Legal Aid Committee, social forum and office bearer of APMSO here at party’s Multan Zonal Office. He said that country’s politics was confined to a few families who were ruling the nation generation after generation and do not let legible and sincere people to come forward and play role for development and stability of the country.

The MQM Quaid said steering the country out of the prevailing gloomy law and order situation and economic scenario we need to end the culture of hereditary politics and provide opportunity to educated and sincere youth who feel heartfelt grief over sufferings of country and its people. He said that Pakistan came into being as a result of untiring efforts of leadership of freedom movement and sacrifices of millions of Muslims but it was matter of grave concern that despite passage of six decades we have not succeeded to achieve the desired goals for which Pakistan was established. Altaf Hussain said that political leadership was concentrating over development of their constituencies only and it has ignored the Southern Punjab urging the people of these areas to wake up against the injustice being done to them.

He urged the people of Southern Punjab to continue peaceful efforts for achievement of their basic rights. The MQM Chief said that his party has a revolutionary plan for development of country and uplifting of the living standard of its people therefore countrymen should join and cooperate with the MQM so as to take the country out of prevailing devastating situation. He vowed to spare no efforts to eradicate the social injustices and outdated system and putting on track to the country on the avenue of development and prosperity through peaceful revolution.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said in Lahore on Sunday that the government was not in a crisis and it would complete its constitutional term.

Talking to media at the Walima ceremony of the son of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Liaquat Baloch, he said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would move ahead and take along all its coalition partners. To a question, the Prime Minister said that PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif had always shown political sagacity on all issues of national importance and he wanted to strengthen democracy in the country.

Gilani said, Nawaz Sharif would not let derailment of the democratic system to occur. “Pakistan Muslim League-N has an important role to play in the parliament”, Gilani said.

He said that PPP and PML-N could not be merged since they had different ideologies and manifestos.

To a query about the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s demand that he should resign, Gilani said difference of opinion is the essence of democracy. JUI-F had been coalition partner of the PPP-led government for three years, and it had cordial relations with PPP.

The Prime Minister said that PPP neither believed in horse trading, nor it had formed any forward bloc, and it would take all its coalition partners on board.

Responding to another question, the Prime Minister said that petroleum prices are linked to international market, while OGRA (Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority) controlled and fixed prices of petroleum products. The government is well aware of the hardships the people in this regard, however, in the present economic condition, the government could not give subsidy on petroleum products, he maintained.

To a question, Gilani said the Blasphemy Act is a matter of conviction of the entire Muslim Ummah and being followers of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (Peace be Upon Him), they cannot amend this act at any cost. No decision about amending the Blasphemy Act had been taken at parliament or party level, he said.

The Prime Minister said that Sherry Rehman’s stance on the subject was her personal opinion.

Gilani was to meet with Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif last night.


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