KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has rejected the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s (PML-N) demand for adjustment on traditional seats in Karachi.
According to sources, MQM-P leaders have excused themselves from adjusting traditional seats with PML-N in Karachi. However, MQM-P showed agreement on seat adjustment in some constituencies of Lyari, Keamari and Malir.
Both sides agreed on holding discussions for adjustment on a rural seat in Malir. Mustafa Kamal would be MQM-P’s candidate for the Baldia Town seat, whereas, the political party insisted on naming its candidates on both National Assembly (NA) seats in Hyderabad.
Moreover, no consensus has been reached so far on different seats in Mirpur Khas, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Larkana and Tando Allahyar. However, both parties showed relaxation in continuing the consultations ahead of the general elections.
The MQM-P has clearly rejected to adjust traditional seats in Karachi’s Korangi, Central, East and West districts. The political party offered to support PML-N candidate on one provincial assembly’s seat in Karachi’s East district.
On the other hand, PML-N urged MQM-P to support its candidates in those constituencies where candidates secured 20,000 to 25,000 votes in the previous elections held in 2013 and 2018.
PML-N demanded to field its candidates in a few provincial assembly seats in Karachi and Hyderabad. However, the final decision was not taken yet.
The MQM-P and PML-N leaders would table recommendations to their top leaders. Both sides agreed on reaching consensus before Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Sindh.
Both parties have also discussed to hold negotiations with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) for seat adjustment, sources added.
On the other hand, Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) Chairman Asif Ali Zardari formed two different committees to hold dialogues with political leaders ahead of general elections.
The PPP co-chairman has formed Sindh and Balochistan committees to hold contacts with politicians belonging to these respective provinces.
