Hacked  By  r4dBlack

KARACHI: Tensions between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have eased considerably since President Zardari and Altaf Hussain intervened to calm things down, but differences on many issues mean the relationship between the two parties is far from ‘back to normal’. Once again concerted efforts are being made by both coalition partners to resolve the issues through dialogue, but little is being divulged regarding the nature of the talks after the relationship between the two parties reached a boiling point just before Eid. Some leaders privy to the latest efforts admit tensions are still very much there despite the situation barely stopping short of breaking the PPP-MQM coalition.

Rehman Malik dashed to London over the Eid holidays and gave a message of peace from President Asif Zardari to Altaf Hussain after Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza and Information Minister Kaira lashed out at the Muttahida.

The MQM also reacted sharply but in a matured political manner which compelled Asif Zardari to backtrack and direct his party men not to issue statements against the MQM. The calming of tensions and Malik’s trip to London aside, issues are still lingering for the MQM, most important being the local government system. After December 31, this system will be fully under the control of provincial governments and the MQM has repeatedly asked President Zardari that the system be retained. If this is the case, the PPP has a simple majority in Sindh, which means that the decision will lie solely in its hands. The PPP has not given any open assurances in this regard.

Malik has reportedly given assurances and made promises to fulfil demands of the MQM, but such promises have been given before only not to be implemented. On several occasions prior to the PPP’s public assault on its coalition partner, Malik had visited the Governor’s House in Karachi and made promises to MQM leaders headed by Dr Farooq Sattar.

Though MQM leaders are tight-lipped, they agreed that tension is still there. One of the MQM leaders, who asked not to be named, said the fate of issues like the local government system hangs in balance.

Dr Farooq Sattar, when contacted, said he was not in London during Rehman Malik’s visit so one can only speculate that he might have given assurances and made promises. The official statement of the meeting was tight, carefully-worded and divulged little.

It reads: Interior Minister Rehman Malik met MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain on Saturday evening in the International Secretariat, London. He delivered the message of goodwill gesture from President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

They discussed MQM-PPP relations and the prevailing political situation in the country. They agreed that all issues between the two parties should be solved through dialogue and discussion, and both the parties will continue to work together for the interest of the country and the nation and betterment of the democratic system.

Earlier, Rehman Malik also met members of MQM central coordination committee and discussed issues between two parties. The meeting was attended by Mohammed Anwar, Salim Shahzad, Tariq Javed, Anis Advocate, Asif Siddiqui and Mustafa Azizabadi.

They agreed that no statements would be issued from any side which may develop misunderstanding. MQM leader M Anwar told a private TV channel that there had been an ‘outburst’ by the PPP after which some unpleasentness had developed. But this does not mean that the coalition was in danger. Such things happen between brothers, but the situation has been controlled by the leaders of both parties.