- Claims joint statement issued after meeting did not mention an electoral alliance
- Says both parties’ representatives would meet in a day or two for further talks
ISLAMABAD: In the middle of fast-turning political dynamics, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Friday clarified that his party did not reach any electoral alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), rather they had developed a consensus over “issues the country faced with.”
“Look, there is no electoral alliance with the PML-N rather we discussed supporting each other for fair and transparent elections and seat adjustment”, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui elaborated while speaking at a talk show on a private TV channel.
On Tuesday, a three-member MQM-P delegation comprising Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Farooq Sattar, and Mustafa Kamal called on the Sharif brothers — Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif — in Model Town Lahore.
After the meeting, the PML-N declared that both parties had decided to form an electoral alliance in light of an understanding reached in April last year when the MQM had joined the Shehbaz-led coalition government.
Yesterday, however, senior MQM-P leader and former federal minister Aminul Haque clarified that it was not an electoral alliance as both parties would contest the election on their respective election symbol.
مسلم لیگ ن سے مل کر الیکشن لڑنے پر کوئی بات نہیں ہوئی وزارتیں کتنی ملیں گی وزیر اعلیٰ کس کا ہوگا ایسا کچھ بھی طے نہیں ہوا۔
کنوئیر ایم کیو ایم پاکستان، خالد مقبول صدیقی@Dr_KMSOfficial pic.twitter.com/8g1rl7CjFO— Live with Adil Shahzeb (@AShahzebLive) November 9, 2023
The MQM-P convener also claimed that the joint statement issued after the meeting with the PML-N leadership did not mention an electoral alliance.
During the interview when Siddiqui was asked about the MQM’s motivations for entering into a supposed electoral alliance with the PML-N, he replied: “First of all, the joint statement issued did not mention an electoral alliance,” the MQM leader said. He said that Nawaz had returned to the country after a long time, adding that MQM had a past with the PML-N which had seen ups and downs.
He, however, conceded that both the parties did talk about general elections — which are scheduled for February 8.
Siddiqui shared insights into the meetings with political leaders, including Nawaz Sharif, highlighting the historical context of MQM’s interactions with various political elites.
He stressed that discussions about contesting elections together, forming a government, and determining the chief minister have not taken place, adding that MQM-P does not traditionally form electoral alliances, but seat adjustments are possible, although not finalized at this stage.
Regarding specific government positions, the MQM convener stated that discussions about the chief minister and ministries were not on the agenda, and his party might not include such matters in the agreements at this time.
Reflecting on the meeting’s positive atmosphere, Siddiqui highlighted the crises facing Pakistan and the need for cooperation on a joint strategy. He clarified that discussions about contesting elections together, forming a government, and determining the chief minister were premature. The extent of this cooperation will be further deliberated.
He said that the party wanted the Constitution to be strengthened so that it could not only protect itself, but also the people.
Siddiqui said that the MQM met with the PML-N, terming it a “very good” meeting. He reiterated that the two talked about a joint strategy for the myriad of crises facing the country.
He said that neither the MQM-P nor the PML-N had stated that the two parties would contest the elections together.
“Nor has there been any talk of how much share will we have in the government or who the chief minister will be. These matters are for the future. Besides, MQM does not form electoral alliances. Yes, seat adjustment has happened and can happen but that has also not been decided this time.”
Siddiqui said that PML-N representatives would meet with the MQM in a day or two where there would be further talks.
