PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday offered
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) ministries in Sindh in exchange for the party breaking off its alliance in the Centre with the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). Addressing a ceremony in Karachi, he said if MQM breaks off its alliance with PTI and manages to get its share in resources, the provincial government will “stand by [MQM] for the sake of Karachi’s people.
MQM-P has not rejected outright the offer publicly made by the PPP leader but described it as non-serious attempt. In a statement, the party said they were not satisfied with the one-and-a-half-year performance of the federal government, but they will not take the decision to part ways with the government on someone’s desire. Irrespective of the fact that the offer has been made in an informal manner, it does reflect the desire of the PPP to forge alliance with MQM to seek ouster of the PTI Government and obviously this would provide additional leverage to MQM to get more from the Federal Government. MQM’s support to the federal government is critical as it has seven MNAs and withdrawal of the support could pose serious threats to the survival of the Government. The offer also assumes significance as other coalition partners of the PTI too have serious grievances as they also claim that their expectations from the Government have also not materialized. This should be a cause for concern for the ruling party and it will have to go an extra mile to redress their grievances. However, the offer also highlights the bitter truth that alliances and coalitions are not made on the basis of principles but vested interests of the parties concerned.
