The PML-N and MQM have reportedly agreed on political cooperation, as per a declaration issued by the former following a meeting between the two sides.
The meeting took place between senior leaders of both parties at PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif's palatial Jati Umra residence in Lahore on Sunday.
According to the statement, Nawaz Sharif and the MQM leadership reached an agreement in principle to work together for the benefit of the country and the nation for which the two sides chalked out basic points.
The meeting was attended by Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah, Ayaz Sadiq, Saad Rafique, Maryam Aurangzeb and Rana Mashhood from the PML-N side. The MQM delegation included Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal.
The consultative meeting between the leaders of both parties continued for about an hour. There was a detailed discussion on the political situation in the country and both sides exchanged suggestions in this regard.
Earlier, Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the MQM leaders along with their party leaders on their arrival in Raiwind.
According to an insider account of the meeting, the MQM delegation had last night met PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and presented their demands. The meeting reportedly lasted for about two hours.
Shehbaz reportedly assured the MQM of fulfilling all its demands.
Shortly after the meeting, MQM leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui addressed a press conference and claimed that the two sides discussed solutions to the problems. He also rubbished the reports of their demands and agreements with the PML-N as "fake".
He also claimed that government formation was not discussed in the meeting, but they talked about the threats facing Pakistan. "General elections have created a challenging situation. At this point, the discussion regarding government formation cannot be started," he maintained.
Siddiqui also said that political and economic stability is more important in Pakistan, adding that political forces and institutions should bring the country out of crises. "Confrontation among political forces will push Pakistan further into crisis. Some people are talking about a coalition government, and other about a national government," he remarked.
The MQM leader also stressed that discussions should be held with all parties, including the PPP. He also rubbished the news reports about their demand for governorship during the meeting with the PML-N.
