MQM-P quits PTI govt after deal with opposition

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) received another setback on Wednesday as Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) quit ruling alliance after signing an agreement with joint opposition, ARY News reported.

The announcement was made by MQM-P convener and MNA Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui at a joint press conference with top opposition leaders, Shehbaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Addressing a press conference, the MQM-P leader announced to support joint opposition for voting on no-confidence motion against the prime minister in the National Assembly.

“MQM-P has decided to develop a working relationship with the joint opposition,” said Siddique adding that agreement was signed with joint opposition for the development of Pakistan — and not for personal or party gains.

Speaking on the occasion, the opposition leader in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Asif Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto and MQM-P leaders for signing an agreement for the betterment of Karachi.

“The agreement will directly benefit Karachi,” said Shehbaz and demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan to resign as he had lost majority in parliament.

Speaking on the occasion, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also asked PM Imran Khan to step down as allies have left the coalition govt.

MQM, opposition reach agreement

In a major development, the joint opposition and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) reached an agreement on late Tuesday night regarding the no-confidence motion.

Read More: MQM-P, OPPOSITION HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT: BILAWAL

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari confirmed the news on his official Twitter handle.

In a tweet, Mr Zardari said, “The united opposition and MQM have reached an agreement.”

Following the agreement, MQM-Pakistan leaders and federal ministers Syed Aminul Haq and Farogh Naseem have tendered their resignations to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

It is pertinent to mention here that the ruling coalition currently has a strength of 177 members. The opposition, on the other hand, seems to have 161 members on its side.