High-level PTI delegation holds talks with MQM-P

A delegation of the PTI meets the MQM-P in Islamabad

KARACHI: A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) delegation arrived at the Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) headquarters in Bahadurabad Saturday as the government attempts to win back disgruntled allies of the federal coalition.

The PTI delegation comprised Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Asad Umar and Jahangir Tareen. The government’s allies — the MQM-P, the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) have expressed reservations with the government since the past few weeks.

Read more: MQM-P's Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui says he is quitting federal cabinet over 'unfulfilled promises'

MQM-P Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui resigned from the cabinet last week. "We had promised the government to help with the formation of the government and we held our end of the deal. However, none of the promises made to us have seen any progress,” he had said in a press conference after announcing his resignation.

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The PML-Q — another important ally of the government — held talks with a PTI delegation a few days ago, giving them a week’s deadline to fulfill two important demands. PML-Q leader Kamil Ali Agha confirmed that the party had asked the government to let it run its ministries in the Punjab government without interference. The PML-Q has also asked the government to release development funds for its ministers.

Agha had said his party will decide what to do in case the PTI does not comply with the two demands within one week. He said it was a “relevant question” as to what the PML-Q will do.