Islamabad : Two former rival parties Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Pakistan announced Wednesday they have joined hands against the government of President Asif Ali Zardari in parliament and in provincial assemblies.
‘We have decided to cooperate first in the national parliament and the provincial assemblies and the cooperation could be expanded in future,’ senior leaders Ishaq Dar of the PML-N and Haider Rizvi MQM told a news conference after their meeting here, Xinhua reported.
‘We also invite other groups to join the opposition,’ said senator Ishaq Dar.
MQM leader Haider Rizvi said both parties have ignored their political differences for the sake of ‘national interest’ and will now jointly work as opposition in parliament.
The development came just days after the MQM quit the Pakistan People’s Party-led government to protest what it called ‘dictatorial’ approach of its larger coalition partner.
PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif last week welcomed MQM lawmakers to join the opposition in parliament.
Political observers said the agreement could pave the way for formation of a grand opposition alliance ahead of the 2013 general elections.
The MQM pulled out of President Zardari’s PPP-led government June 27, leaving it 12 seats short of a majority in the national assembly or lower house of parliament. IANS
‘We have decided to cooperate first in the national parliament and the provincial assemblies and the cooperation could be expanded in future,’ senior leaders Ishaq Dar of the PML-N and Haider Rizvi MQM told a news conference after their meeting here, Xinhua reported.
‘We also invite other groups to join the opposition,’ said senator Ishaq Dar.
MQM leader Haider Rizvi said both parties have ignored their political differences for the sake of ‘national interest’ and will now jointly work as opposition in parliament.
The development came just days after the MQM quit the Pakistan People’s Party-led government to protest what it called ‘dictatorial’ approach of its larger coalition partner.
PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif last week welcomed MQM lawmakers to join the opposition in parliament.
Political observers said the agreement could pave the way for formation of a grand opposition alliance ahead of the 2013 general elections.
The MQM pulled out of President Zardari’s PPP-led government June 27, leaving it 12 seats short of a majority in the national assembly or lower house of parliament. IANS
