Islamabad - A delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) met with the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leaders on Tuesday to discuss the political situation prevailing in the country and problems faced by the people.
During the talks, the partner in the ruling coalition invited the PML-N to visit Nine Zero, the party headquarters and residence of MQM chief Altaf Hussain in Karachi.
During the dialogue, both the parties also agreed to develop a national consensus to resolve a multitude of pressing political and economic problems.
After the meeting, MQM Deputy Convenor Farooq Sattar, the head of the party’s delegation, told media that he had given a message of Altaf Hussain to Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif. He further said that both sides agreed to develop national consensus to solve host of problems including extremism, economy and energy crisis and other issues of national importance.
The delegation also comprised Federal Ports and Shipping Minister Senator Babar Ghauri and Senator Tahir Mashhadi, while the PML-N was represented by leaders Ishaq Dar and Pervez Rasheed.
Speaking to media representatives, Ishaq Dar said although, the MQM was a part of the ruling coalition government but it still thought like an opposition party with regard to the general public’s problems. He said after the meeting the MQM, it felt like they were part of the opposition and their agenda was similar to that of his party on national issues.
Dar said PML-N President Nawaz Sharif had already talked about a national charter which was an urgent requirement for the country due to economic and security challenges.
He added that the PML-N would decide on the invitation after consultation with the party leadership.
Dar said the PML-N believed the solution to these problems lied in immediately holding early elections, while the MQM also proposed that the polls should not be delayed. Both parties agreed on holding early elections, he added.
Dar said the PML-N and the MQM had similar views and were on the same page for resolution of these problems.
Sattar said the agenda of the meeting was to discuss matters relating to the country’s security and stability, adding that political parties should work on a national agenda based on a national consensus.
The MQM leader said all the political forces must also work together to provide relief to the masses and they were responsible for the success of failure of the country.
Sattar said the Nawaz league had been invited to visit Nine Zero in Karachi to talk about the poor law and order situation in the port city and Balochistan, and the rising inflation in the country.
Babar Ghauri said they had discussed with the PML-N leaders every problem being faced by the country.