PTI's Tareen calls on MQM-P leaders, seeks support to form govt at Centre

KARACHI: In efforts to form government at the Centre, a delegation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by  Jahangir Tareen, called on  Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan's leaders at Bahadurabad office late on Monday.

This was the first formal meeting  between PTI  and MQM-P leaders, where matters of formation of government  and other political issues, including July 25 elections were discussed.

Tareen headed PTI delegation comprised of Firdaus Shamim Naqvi, Imran Ismail and Haleem Adil Siddiqui. Whereas, MQM-P convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui led party's delegation during the meeting.

It is learnt that MQM-P has put forward its demands   before the PTI leaders, which included, Karachi Package, constitutional amendment for empowered local bodies, administrative units for the urban Sindh, community police and mass transit in the port city.

Inviting MQM-P to join PTI in formation of government at the Centre, Tareen said that both the parties have a common agenda and similarities on the most of the points.

Taking to media persons, leaders of both the parties termed the meeting  very positive, vowing to continue their efforts for the development of the port  city.

Tareen said that Karachi is the revenue engine of the country, adding that it's in the manifesto of PTI  to resolve the basic issues of the metropolis, including water, transport  and infrastructure  on priority basis.

He further said that the people of Karachi gave a joint mandate to the PTI and MQM-P.

Siddiqui said that the party found similar views on many of the issues with the PTI leader. He added that if PTI forms government at the Centre it will participate in Karachi’s development and release the Karachi package which has been halted for years.

Meanwhile , MQM-P convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui  said that  its a pleasant surprise that  both the  parties have commonalities. "We have an agreement over strong and independent local bodies system," he said. Siddiqui said that both the parties will help each other to address the reservations over the election results.

Siddiqui added  that both the parties will continue to stay in the touch, adding that his party  also has reservations regarding the way elections were conducted.

Regarding the meeting, he shared that the representatives of the two parties discussed the conditions in Sindh especially Karachi alongside the political situation which has emerged following the General Election 2018.

Earlier, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had claimed that it has the support of a sufficient number of lawmakers to form governments in both the Centre and Punjab.

The PTI is also making efforts for the formation of government in Punjab and for this purpose it has started contacting leaders of different parties and independent candidates.