PML-N, MQM break the ice

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Wednesday principally agreed to join hands for a stronger opposition in the parliament as well as provincial assemblies on national and public issues. However, there was no word on formation of a grand opposition alliance.
The archrivals in the first formal interaction, the venue of which was earlier kept secret, exchanged views on mutual affairs and invited each other to visit headquarters of both the parties. PML-N was represented by Senator Ishaq Dar, Pervez Rashid, Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Mushahidullah while the MQM delegation comprised Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi, Raza Haroon and Wasim Akhtar.
Talking to Business Recorder, MQM leader Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi said MQM invited PML-N leadership to visit party's headquarters '90', which was accepted by PML-N leaders. PML-N invited MQM leadership to visit the Model Town or Raiwind residence of Nawaz Sharif, which the MQM also accepted, said Rizvi. He further said that it was good omen that the two parties were meeting after a long time.
Earlier, the leaders of the two parties shared a joint statement issued following the talks, which stated that the leadership of the two political parties has principally decided to join hands for a stronger opposition in the elected assemblies of the country on national and public issues within the parameters of the Constitution. "In this context, it was decided that the two parties would launch joint efforts in National Assembly and Senate as well as provincial assemblies for the resolution of the masses issues," said Rizvi while reading out the joint statement.
He said both sides discussed the country's situation including the back-breaking price hike, electricity and gas load shedding, poor economic situation, the dilapidated law and order, corruption under the patronage of the government, 'rigging' in the recent AJK election and excessive use of government functionaries besides the relationship between the two parties.
To a question whether the two parties also decided to launch drive to topple the current set-up, Ishaq Dar said all the efforts would be made within the parameters of the Constitution. "All the options within the limits of the Constitution will be used to press the government to resolve the issues of the masses," said the PML-N leader. To another query whether PML-N visited its stance of declaring MQM a 'terrorist organisation', Dar said it was story of the past and instead posed a question saying after waging three wars should Pakistan and India refrain from holding talks?
When asked whether Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif would meet MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain in London, he said the schedule of the interaction has not been finalised as yet. Dar said PML-N would also contact other opposition parties including JUI-F for a joint stance on national and public issues and also warned the government to put its house in order so as to avoid public wrath.
MQM's Raza Haroon said that the meeting was first step towards working together and the two sides openly exchanged views and expressed their reservations. Commenting on the Prime Minister's remarks that MQM was still part of the ruling coalition, Haroon said that MQM's ministers in the Center and Sindh as well as Governor Sindh have tendered resignation to practically part ways from the government.