Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leaders have reportedly presented a list of demands to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari in exchange for the party’s support in the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Sources close to the matter said that the demands were presented before PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari by a delegation of the MQM-P.
As part of their request, MQM-P demanded a 40 per cent quota in government jobs in urban Sindh, and the formation of a provincial finance commission, sources claimed. MQM-P also requested an empowered local government system.
Furthermore, the MQM-P stipulated that the agreement would need to be signed in writing and the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and JUI-F would also need to agree to the terms for the party to vote in favour of the no-confidence move.
Speaking to Geo News MQM-P leader Wasem Akhter confirmed the meeting with the PPP leader, adding that he had not discussed the matter with the prime minister during his recent visit to Karachi.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan knows our issues, therefore how many times should MQM-P repeat the same demands to him,” the MQM-P leader said.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had previously counted on MQM as one of the incumbent government’s major allies. Despite attempts to solidify support, several former allies had seemingly jumped ship, including PTI MPA Aleem Khan, who met with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in London, and Jahangir Tareen, who is also in talks with the opposition.
