Daily Times

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Friday once again urged the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to rethink its alliance with the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

“It is in the hands of MQM-P, which says it stands by the people of Karachi, wants to solve their problems and admits that the federal government has not done anything and [instead] has created problems, to leave the federal government, leave the ministries and solve the problems of the people,” the PPP chief told media here. He said if the MQM really stands with Karachi then it should leave the ministries as PTI-led government is not capable of running the country.

“There are a lot of ideological issues between PPP and MQM-P, but as far as Karachi’s residents are concerned, I believe that we should solve [their] issues together,” Bilawal said, adding that the opposition parties are united to send the government packing, while allies in the provinces are expressing reservations. He said it does not appear as if PTI coalition partners will continue working with the ruling party. He said slogans against the PTI are being raised in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The PPP chief said the prime minister has taken a ‘U-turn’ on his earlier claim of providing jobs, as well as other things pertaining to welfare work. He said the federal government is not resolving the issues of Karachi. Bilawal lamented that the PTI has so far failed to fulfil its promises regarding local governments or police reforms and is ‘committing the economic murder of citizens’.

“We were promised that the federal government will work with Sindh government on water projects, but Imran Khan took a U-turn on desalination plant and K-4 projects. He has also failed to fulfill promises of providing jobs and building houses.”

Bilawal criticised the MQM-P for sticking with the alliance despite PTI government’s failures. “On one hand MQM-P claims seriousness in solving Karachi’s issues and on the other it stays a coalition partner of the PTI, who they admit, has failed in keeping its promises,” he said. “MQM should think that why they are supporting a party which has done nothing for Karachi and its people,” he remarked.

Bilawal expressed hope that the ongoing issue of Sindh Inspector General of Police Kaleem Imam will be resolved soon with consultation between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

The PPP chairman’s remarks came in light of the recent developments in the political arena, with the ruling party in Sindh eying a coalition with MQM-Pakistan to bring down the Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government at the Centre.