ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) formally announced on Wednesday that it was joining the opposition ranks ahead of a no-trust vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The announcement was made by MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui at a press conference in Islamabad alongside leaders of the joint opposition. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal were also present.
MQM-P’s Siddiqui said the development was “historic” and a “test for the political leadership of the country” as the coming days would pose several challenges to them. “Today, we are gathered here to vow that we should work beyond promises and ensure that the decisions we take impact common Pakistanis,” Siddiqui said.
“We have joined you (the opposition) on this journey with these expectations. We have no individual or party benefits. Every clause of our agreement is for the common public of Pakistan and especially for those areas whom we have been representing for the last 35 years. The areas for which we believe immediate steps are needed.”
He said that his party has decided to develop a working relationship with the joint Opposition for the development of Pakistan and not any personal gains. “I hope we work to develop an era where political differences are not considered as enmity, where political revenge does not exist, and where politicians start bearing each other,” he added.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said today is an important day in Pakistan’s history because a joint opposition has come together and efforts have been made for national unity.
He thanked the MQM-P and its workers for making this decision. He also thanked Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal for the whole process of negotiations and keeping their history aside. “They have initiated this journey of Pakistan’s prosperity and Karachi’s happiness. This agreement will be implemented in letter and spirit,” the PML-N leader added.
PPP leader Bilawal also thanked MQM-P and described its decision of teaming up with the opposition as “historic”. “I want to repeat that PPP and MQM-P’s working relationship is not related to the no-confidence motion. PPP and MQM-P have to work together under any condition, if we want to work for Karachi and Pakistan’s prosperity,” he said.
Earlier in the day, MQM-P’s coordination committee announced that it had ratified the agreement between the party and the opposition on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan. MQM-P leader Nasreen Jalil confirmed the development while speaking to the media outside the party’s markaz in Karachi’s Bahadurabad.
MQM-P leaders Farogh Naseem and Aminul Haque resigned from PM Imran’s cabinet. Naseem, who was the federal minister for law, wrote in his resignation letter that he was resigning on the directions of MQM-P convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.
