High level contact between MQM & PML-N

Is a new political alliance on the cards?


By Muhammad Muniruddin
KARACHI: The meeting between the Muttahida Quami Movement’s delegation and Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Shahbaz Sharif in a cordial atmosphere has diminished the past political hostility between both the political rivals of the national politics and this high level contact can provide a new ground of mutual cooperation between these political parties.
Independent political observers are giving great importance to this development and now they are predicting that a new political alliance cannot be ruled out at any time in the future.
The political analysts feel that after the passage of the 18th amendment, the political closeness between the PML(N) and the Muttahida is gradually improving and this situation may result in formation of a new political alliance between the two parties.
It may be noted that after the brutal murder of the former Governor Sindh, Hakim Muhammad Saeed, strong political tension had prevailed between the PML (N) and the MQM. The political analysts pointed out that during the nine-year tenure of former President Pervez Mushrraf, tense relations continued between the PML (N) and the MQM. When the lawyers’ movement for the restoration of the superior judiciary was launched, the political hostility remained continued between the two parties. It is also a fact that the PML(Q) despite being a coalition partner of the Muttahdia, did not allow it to start political activity in Punjab, however, the present Punjab government despite a long history of political disputes, is ready to accommodate the MQM in Punjab and the Punjab Chief Minister