No-trust motion: Imran Ismail fails to get clear response on MQM-P's support

• MQM-P tells Ismail that it will choose a side after reviewing the current political situation.
• Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi says PTI govt exists today mainly because MQM-P is a part of it.
• Says situation of other allied parties is different from MQM-P and it is "free to make its own decision."

KARACHI: Amid the uncertainty about allies of the ruling PTI, Sindh Governor and senior party leader Imran Ismail received a vague response from MQM-P about which side they would favour when a vote of no confidence is cast against Prime Minister Imran Khan, The News reported Monday.

In a meeting with Ismail, MQM-P leaders told him that the decision on supporting or opposing the Opposition's no-trust motion will be made after a review of the current political situation in the country.

Not even PM Imran Khan himself could not succeed in gaining clear support of his government's major ally, MQM-P, in the no-confidence motion during his recent meeting with its leaders in Karachi.

In Sunday's meeting, the no-trust motion against the premier was the only matter that was discussed between the Ismail-led delegation and MQM-P leaders.

'MQM-P free to make its own choice'

Talking to the media along with Governor Ismail after the meeting, the MQM-P Convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that the PTI's government in the Centre exists today mainly because the MQM-P is a part of it.

Responding vaguely over the issue of supporting no-trust motion or not, Siddiqui said the party has to make a decision according to the situation in the country.

“We cannot say anything at the moment and we will decide it in our workers’ convention,” Siddiqui said.

He said that the governments keep changing but democracy in the country should not be derailed. He said the opposition parties have contacted the MQM-P leaders. He said the situation of other allied parties is very different from the MQM-P.

“The PML-Q has to make its own decision and MQM-P is similarly free to make its own.”

'Relations with MQM-P fraternal'

However, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on the occasion, said the purpose of the visit was to request the MQM-P leadership to provide direct support against the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan.

“I came here with PM Imran Khan's message for the MQM-P,” said Ismail.

He argued that the federal government has full numbers in the parliament and the opposition cannot bring even 160 members for the crucial voting. He also claimed that Aleem Khan and Jahangir Tareen are still with the PTI.

Ismail said that PM Imran Khan is enjoying a good relationship with the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and all the institutions and the government are on the same page.

“Some elements want to spread the word by talking about the distances between General Bajwa and Imran Khan. The understanding between General Bajwa and Imran Khan from the first day is still there today.”

Ismail said that PM Imran Khan always talks about the country's sovereignty.

“We are seeing an immense change in the political landscape of the region. International affairs are also changing. Since the PTI formed its government in the Centre, our relations with the MQM-P have been fraternal,” he said.

He admitted that the PTI couldn't be successful in Sindh if MQM-P wasn't their "friend".

Earlier, MQM-P leader and Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Aminul Haque welcomed the Governor Ismail-led PTI delegation on their arrival at the former’s office. 

Opposition leader in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh, PTI parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly Khurram Sherzaman, PTI Karachi president and MPA Bilal Ghaffar, and SAPM on Maritime Mahmood Maulvi were part of the PTI delegation.

MQM-P’s central leaders, including Aamir Khan, Haque, Waseem Akhtar, Zahid Mansoori, and other leaders accompanied Siddiqui in the meeting.