PPP, MQM power-sharing talks in decisive phase

KARACHI: Talks between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) over a power-sharing formula in Sindh appear to have reached a decisive phase. The chiefs of the two parties had already stopped issuing statements against one another after their leaders — Asif Ali Zardari and Altaf Hussain — came to an agreement in this regard. Today, however, sources told DawnNews that not only is the MQM in talks to join the government in Sindh but that a decision to assign the ministries of health, commerce and industries, religious affairs, local government and information technology to the party is on the cards. Sources added that an MQM delegation is expected to meet Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad in a day or two, while a list of party members likely to be made ministers has been sent to party chief Altaf Hussain. However, it may take up to a week for the two sides to finalise an announcement. The PPP currently enjoys simple majority in the Sindh Assembly and neither the government at the centre, nor in Sindh is in any dire need of support from another party. Today’s development follows recent statements from PPP leaders Manzoor Wassan and Rehman Malik on MQM’s likely inclusion in the provincial cabinet.