Zardari, Altaf agree to play role in progress of country

KARACHI: MQM Chief Altaf Hussain and President Asif Ali Zardari in a telephonic conversation agreed to play their role in the progress and prosperity of the country besides strengthening of the democracy, Geo News reported.

According to MQM Spokesman, the telephonic conversation was held in a cordial environment and lasted for 45 minutes.

Earlier, another round of talks between Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad and the PPP team was held here on Sunday night at the Governor’s House to strike a deal regarding the MQMís return to the government.

Former law minister Babar Awan headed the PPP team and Sindh Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Durrani accompanied him as a member. The talks continued for more than two hours and the governor briefed the visitors about the outcome of his talks with Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, held on Saturday.

The sources claimed that the issue of portfolios for the MQM ministers also came under discussion. Insiders claimed that the talks were held in a friendly atmosphere. The Sindh governor conveyed to the PPP team a message of the MQM leadership regarding the ongoing political situation and operation in Karachi.

Ebad has remained in constant contact with Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the Sindh chief minister on the issue, and the inclusion of Siraj Durrani in the talks on Sunday was the result of these negotiations. The sources said that the Presidency directed Agha Siraj to join the talks on Sunday as the MQM wanted some assurances from the local government minister.

The officials refused to share about the outcome of the meeting but confirmed that more talks would be held in the coming days to resolve the issue and address demands of the MQM for rejoining the government. The insiders claimed that some minor issues were resolved while some major issues still needed to be addressed.