PPP-MQM power sharing talks Finalized
'Pakistan Times' Political Desk

KARACHI: Following successful finalization of ongoing dialogue between PPP and MQM for power sharing in Sindh province, the MQM will get 13 Ministries besides having one Advisor and one Special Assistant.

The talks between the two major political parties in Sindh reached conclusion in the final round of talks held at Governor House on Monday night.

Sindh Senior Minister, Pir Mazharul Huq, a member of the negotiation committee from PPP side and Dr Farooq Sattar from MQM side held a joint press conference at Chief Minister House and briefed the journalists about the salient features of negotiations.

Addressing the press conference Pir Mazharul Huq announced the portfolios which will go to MQM as a result of power sharing formula reached between the two.

MQM will have the portfolios of (1) Health, (2) Industries and Commerce, (3) Information Technology, (4) Environment and Alternate Energy, (5) Sports, (6) Youth Affairs, (7) Rural Development, (8) Public Health Engineering, (9) Auqaf, (10) Bureau of Supply and Prices (11) Human Rights.

Remaining two Ministers and Advisor have not been assigned any portfolio. As regards the names of Ministers, Pir Mazhar said that these will be finalized by MQM at their end.

Replying a question regarding MQM’s relationship with PML(Q), Dr Farooq Sattar gave reference to his joint press conference with PML(Q) President Ch. Shujaat Hussain and later visit of Ch Shujaat to the Nine Zero during which he had welcomed talks between PPP and MQM in the wake of ongoing process of national reconciliation.

Dr Farooq Sattar recalled that during his visit to Nine Zero on March 3, Ch Shujaat Hussain had expressed his good wishes for the ongoing dialogue between MQM and PPP.

To another question about continuity of Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan as Governor of Sindh, Pir Mazharul Huq said that the Governor represents the Federation while Dr Farooq Sattar posed the counter question as to what continuity of Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad as Governor is visible in the wake of the spirit so clear behind the success of talks between PPP and MQM.

Home Minister Zulfikar Mirza who played a key role in the success of talks said that no matter which party the Governor belonged to earlier, he is now ours.●