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MQM takes back ultimatum after Zardari’s call

A few minutes transatlantic telephone call from President Asif Ali Zardari to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain late on Wednesday night was enough for the ruling coalition partner to take back the three-day ultimatum given to the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), forcing the latter to meet its ‘genunine demands’.

For the record it was MQM’s fifth such ultimatum to the PPP during the past four and half years but as in the past, a telephone call between the two party chiefs ended the “threat” described by the opposition as a “fixed match” as well as a bid to divert attention of the masses from the pressing issues of rampant corruption, nepotism, gross mismanagement, unemployment and inflation.

The MQM’s Rabitta Committee reversed the ultimatum on the directive of party chief Altaf Hussain following assurance by President Asif Ali Zardari — not for the first time — of resolving the issues in accordance with the formula agreed between the two parties.

Earlier, President Zardari talked to Altaf Hussain and assured him of getting the issues resolved through understanding and the agreed formula.

Zardari also expressed regret over non-implementation of the terms of the agreement reached between the PPP and MQM earlier.

The president is also reported to have directed the Sindh PPP leadership to resolve the issues to the satisfaction of the coalition partners whose major demands include early local bodies elections and control over running affairs of Karachi and Hyderabad.

news@khaleejtimes.com