ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui clarified on Thursday that decisions regarding cabinet positions had been finalised, but the party had not sought any specific roles.
Addressing the media ahead of the National Assembly session, Siddiqui emphasised that the MQM-P’s focus was not on governorship or ministries, but on delivering the benefits of democracy to the people.
The return of the MQM signifies a genuine mandate, and despite expecting more seats, the party is prepared to voice its concerns about electoral irregularities on appropriate platforms, he added.
Furthermore, Siddiqui underscored the persistent nature of the issues, stating that the circumstances today mirror those of 75 years ago. He highlighted the significance of a democracy that truly benefitted the public, highlighting the imperative to grant rights to Pakistan’s 230 million citizens.
Previously, the MQM-P expected to hold a final round of negotiations with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) before taking its decision about joining the coalition government, party sources.
According to sources privy to the discussion in the party’s coordination committee meeting, the MQM-P wanted to allow Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori to continue on the post, otherwise, according to some suggestions, the party would prefer to sit on the opposition benches.
In various media interviews, MQM-P Senior Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar and newly-elected National Assembly member (MNA) Mustafa Kamal both expressed their optimism about the ongoing coalition talks with the PML-N, hoping to reach consensus on all issues very soon.
“Kamran Tessori is the MQM’s choice for the governor’s post,” Dr Sattar told a private TV channel in an interview. Regarding the ongoing discussions with the PML-N on forming the coalition, he expressed his optimism about reaching a consensus soon.
Despite the challenges in joining the government, Sattar affirmed the MQM-P’s dedication to political stability and national progress, pledging cooperation wherever necessary. He highlighted the PML-N’s recognition of the MQM’s pivotal role in parliamentary politics and its status as an important ally.
“The cabinet will come after that [the oath-taking by the elected members],” he said. “The procedure is being processed and both the parties are moving in the right direction. There is no deadlock,” Kamal stated.
