MQM joins Sindh govt, two ministers take oath

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has joined the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led government in Sindh today.

The party on Tuesday received slots of two ministers, two advisors and a special assistant after joining the government.

Two leaders belonging to the MQM, Rauf Siddiqui and Dr Saghir Ahmed, have taken oath as ministers.

Faisal Sabzwari and Adil Siddiqui were appointed as advisors to Chief Minister Sindh while Abdul Haseeb was inducted in the provincial cabinet as Special assistant to CM Sindh.

Although the portfolios were not allotted yet, sources said that Rauf Siddiqui will get portfolio of Commerce and Industries, Dr Saghir Ahmed-Health, Faisal Sabzwari- Youth Affairs, Adil Siddiqui-Tourism and Abdul Haseeb- Auqaf.

The oath was administered by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan at a ceremony at the Governor House.

The ceremony was attended by MQM leaders Dr Farooq Sattar, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Syed Sardar Ahmed, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Senior Minister for Education Nisar Khuhro, Minister for Information Sharjeel Memon, Inspector General of Police Sindh Iqbal Mehmood and AIGP Karachi Shahid Hayat.

Rumors had been circulating for some time about the possible alliance of the two parties.

Earlier, when contacted on Monday, leaders of both parties declined to comment on the expected oath-taking ceremony. However, Abdul Qadir Patel of the PPP had said he was aware of the development, and had expressed optimism on the likelihood of MQM joining the Sindh government.

Last month’s meeting between former president Asif Ali Zardari and Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and some MQM leaders had triggered speculation of the possible MQM-PPP alliance in Sindh.

Later, a statement of Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon in which he had hinted that the PPP was ready to embrace the MQM strengthened the rumours that both parties were making headway in their talks.