In Islamabad, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) officially joined the political alliance between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to create a coalition government at the Centre.
Both parties signed a memorandum for the alliance after discussions at the Parliament House.
After the agreement, MQM-P announced its support for PML-N in electing the speaker, deputy speaker, and prime minister.
During the talks, it was agreed that resolving issues in Karachi, implementing a local government system, and giving administrative and financial powers to districts and towns would be part of the agreement.
Additionally, there was agreement to amend the constitution to ensure financial resources from the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award are devolved to districts and towns, and to enact legislation for holding local government elections every four years.
PML-N General Secretary Ahsan Iqbal stated that both parties are committed to transferring power to the people and empowering the masses.
MQM-P’s Mustafa Kamal called the agreement historic and a solution to many problems.
Senior MQM-P leader Dr. Farooq Sattar emphasized the need to transfer resources to the local level.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed hope that MQM-P would be accommodated in positions where agreement couldn’t be reached between PML-N and PPP.
