PTI discusses new NA opposition leader prospect with MQM-Pakistan

KARACHI: A delegation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, including Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Firdous Shamim among others, met with the leaders of Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan on Tuesday. 

The leaders met at MQM's temporary headquarters in Bahadurabad.

According to sources, the leaders of the two parties mulled over the possibility of replacing Pakistan Peoples Party stalwart Khursheed Shah as the leader of opposition in the National Assembly, before the caretaker government steps in ahead of 2018 General Elections.

After the meeting, MQM-Pakistan Head Farooq Sattar said that MQM supported the resolution proposed by the PTI, adding that the parties discussed country’s political situation. 

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Shah Mehmood Qureshi remarked: "We have no personal grievances against anyone. We respect Khursheed Shah.”

The conditions of the city can’t improve till we have an effective local bodies system. "What is the point of a mayor if he doesn’t have power?" added Shah. 

It is unfair if people don’t get adequate facilities despite casting their votes, he remarked, adding that the party leaders discussed a lot of issues with MQM-Pakistan. 

However, while speaking on Geo News' show Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, MQM-P chief Farooq Sattar said they will not take a solo flight like PPP did and would wait for Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and Jamaat-e-Islami's stance on the matter.

Nevertheless, Sattar added, they were planning to do something over the matter in October.

Meanwhile, PTI has started making efforts to replace the opposition leader with its own senior member, Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

PTI seeks support to bring in new opposition leader

PTI has also established back door contact with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan

The caretaker government is set up in consultation between the opposition and the present government.

PTI officials said if all the opposition parties unite against the PPP then a new opposition leader can emerge in the Lower House of Parliament.

‘Imran strengthened Nawaz due to wrong policies’

Leader of the opposition Khursheed Shah speaking to media in Jaccobabad said that Imran Khan always strengthened his opponent Nawaz Sharif through wrong policies.

“Imran Khan was outside on the roads, I brought him inside (parliament),” said Shah.

“I fought for them, got them salaries of eight months,” said the opposition leader.

Shah said that he brought the Muttahida Quami Movement lawmakers back to the parliament as well.

The PPP does not apply the politics of enmity, he said, adding that the party only wants supremacy of democracy and parliament.

In his response earlier on Monday, Shah said that the PTI disgraced itself by approaching the leadership of MQM-P to challenge his position in the National Assembly.

Shah further said that the PTI should first apologise to the MQM-P's leadership for the accusations they have been leveling against it in the past.