Islamabad, June 27: In a blow to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's government, key partner MQM today quit his government at the centre and also made an exit from the ruling coaltion in the Sindh province, citing Pakistan Peoples Party's “undemocratic and dictatorial” attitude.
“The Muttahida Qaumi Movement MQM's Rabita Committee (highest decision making body), parliamentarians and legislators came to the conclusion that it is not possible for the MQM to work with this government because of its undemocratic and dictatorial actions,” senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar said.
The party has 25-members in the 342 member National Assemly.
Though the move is a blow to the federal government, it is not expected to collapse as the ruling PPP recently forged an alliance with the PML-Q to bolster the ruling coalition's numbers in parliament.
Sattar announced his party's decision at a news conference in the southern port city of Karachi, saying that the move was made after consultations with the party's workers and lawmakers.
The PPP-led government had a “dictatorial attitude” and used “force and pressure” against both its opponents and allies, he alleged.
“In keeping with the consultations with and wishes of its workers and the people, the MQM announces its separation from the PPP-led government,” he said.
“The PPP was unwilling to mend its ways, leaving us with no option but to quit the coalition,” Sattar said. MQM lawmakers in the national and provincial assemblies will sit on opposition benches, he said.
Sindh Governor Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan, a senior MQM leader who has held the position since the era of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, resigned from his post. PTI
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