PPP approaches ANP after differences with MQM
17 February, 2013
KARACHI: The leadership of Pakistan People's Party Sindh on Saturday contacted Awami National Party (ANP), after its major coalition partner in the province Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) distanced itself against purported withdrawal of cases against Lyari gangsters, belonging to People's Amn Committee. Sindh Chief Minister, who is also provincial president of the PPP, Syed Qaim Ali Shah called on the ANP Sindh President and Senator Shahi Syed at his residence, Mardan House, a few hours before the MQM announced parting of the ways with the government. Other leaders of the PPP Karachi division were also present. The ANP's Rana Gul Afridi, Ameer Nawab and Younis Buneri were also present at the meeting. "Sindh government has started contacting political parties including both who are in the government and those outside it, in order to strengthen political stability and brotherhood in the province", said the chief minister while talking to the media persons after the meeting. Referring to the MQM's boycott of the Sindh Assembly session and allegation that the PPP was patronising criminal elements of Lyari, the chief minister said that some friends were annoyed but despite that, the government intended to make contacts to all political parties. "We do not want to indulge in solo flight in the province", he said, adding that we want to take all parties along for betterment of the province. Shah said that the PPP wanted to contest forthcoming general elections together with its allies. However, he added, a final decision in this respect would be taken after formation of the caretaker setup. He said that the PPP believed that unity among the political forces would be in interest of all the stakeholders. Regarding deteriorating law and order in Karachi, the chief minister said that the problem could be solved if all the coalition partners show unity and support each other. Shah, who also holds the portfolio of Home Affairs, said that besides Taliban factor some foreign elements had also become involved in disturbing peace of the provincial capital. He said the police department was handling the situation at its best with limited available resources. Meanwhile, the chief minister offered condolence on the sad demise of ANP leader Shahi Syed's sister. He also offered condolence on assassination of the Bashir Ahmed Bilour in Peshawar. Senator Saeed Ghani, Senior Special Assistant, Rashid Rabbani and Special Assistant, Waqar Mehdi accompanied the chief minister. APP adds: CM Sindh said that the leadership of PPP and ANP were enjoying cordial relations and expected that the same would continue in future. This he said while talking to newsmen at Mardan House. He said that PPP and ANP had formed a committee, which would discuss issues and problems, and the same would be resolved amicably. The committee comprises PPP leaders Agha Siraj Durrani, Ayaz Soomro, Rashid Rabbani and ANP leaders Rana Gul Afridi, Ameer Nawab and Younis Buneri. End.
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