MQM-P threatens to quit govt

-Bilawal lashes out at opponent parties i

ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), an ally of the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government, has threatened to sit on the opposition benches, here on Wednesday.
According to details, MQM-P raised reservations about the attitude of the coalition ministers of the government in the National Assembly and threatened to sit on the opposition benches.
MNA Sheikh Salahuddin while addressing the National Assembly said that MQM-P has paid a heavy political price for this government, if they are to be given such answers in the assembly by ministers then we will not hesitate to sit on this side. Another lawmaker, Sabir QaimKhani staged a walkout from the assembly over no resolution to the problems of Hyderabad. Qaimkhani said that if the problems are not solved, then there is no need to remain in ministries, it’s useless.
The MQM-P lawmaker said that no priority was given to the projects of their areas in the budget, without taking anyone’s name, he said one person is not allowing our projects to be included in the budget.
Federal Minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi held talks with MQM members after they staged walk-out from the National Assembly (NA).
Meanwhile, local government elections recently held in Sindh Province were being discussed in the National Assembly, he said adding “it is an obligation for me to make the record correct and answer the questions raised by the members.”
He said it was appropriate for the members to raise the issue of local bodies in the Sindh assembly. He said the PPP was a popular party in the Sindh province and swept the recently held local body elections.
The minister said the political parties that made hue and cry were approached by the Sindh High Court just a day before the election to flee from the election process.
He said opposition parties were well aware of the fact that during the next phase of the local body election, to be held after one month in Sindh, the PPP would again make a clean sweep.
After the electoral reforms, he said, level playing field would be given to all the political parties in the next general elections. “Whenever there is a level playing field, PPP always performs well in the elections,” he added.
He said it was unfortunate that the PPP was blamed for rigging the local government election held in Larkana.
“I will identify myself if someone is found involved in rigging, but allegations of rigging against PPP is unfortunate,” he added.
The minister congratulated Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf for conducting the proceedings of the House efficiently and giving maximum time to opposition members to speak on budget.
He reminded that during the past regime of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the then opposition parties were not given fair chance to speak in the House on various issues.
“Despite less opposition members, they are given a chance to speak on budget, current economic situation and difficulties the people of the country are facing,” he added.

n Sindh