MQM-P formally bids farewell to government

MQM-P ministers Faroogh Naseem, Aminul Haque resign from cabinet

Government ally Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) has left the ruling coalition after it struck a deal with the opposition alliance to vote in favor of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan. The development denies PM Khan a majority in the National Assembly.

The announcement was made in a presser attended by MQM-P leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PMLN) President Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilwal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other leaders who have proclaimed to vote against the premier.

Siddiqui said that the party looked forward to a democracy that benefits the public. “With this hope, we have decided to work with the opposition,” he said.

He said the agreement between the MQM-P and the opposition was made to benefit the common man and does not serve personal or party interests of anyone. Meanwhile, Sharif thanked PPP and MQM-P leaders who overcame their difference to reach an accord.

Sharif said that all except two points had been agreed upon with MQM-P. He added that the democratic norm, once a prime minister loses majority in the house, is to resign.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari claimed that Shehbaz Sharif would become the prime minister in the next few days. He also called on PM Khan to conduct voting on the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly session scheduled for Thursday.