Senior leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Waseem Akhtar on Friday called on the federal government to clarify the reasons behind the removal of Kamran Tessori as the governor of Sindh.
The federal government has nominated Nehal Hashmi, a senior figure of Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N), to replace Tessori as the province’s governor.
Speaking on the development, Akhtar said the government should have at least taken MQM-P into confidence before making such a decision.
“Even if the government had reasons to remove Kamran Tessori, it should have informed us, just as it consults us on important matters such as constitutional amendments,” he said, adding that it was the government’s ethical responsibility to explain its concerns to the party.
Akhtar also questioned whether the decision had been taken under pressure from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Responding to a question about the party’s future in the ruling coalition, he said he would strongly urge MQM-P to leave the government when the party convenes its next meeting.
“I will strongly recommend that MQM-P exit the coalition government and register a strong protest,” he said. However, he noted that no emergency meeting of the party had yet been convened.
Akhtar added that Shehbaz Sharif is currently abroad and the MQM-P leadership is expected to meet him in Islamabad after his return.
Rejecting the impression that MQM-P wishes to remain in government at any cost, Akhtar said the party’s protest would be sufficient for now, particularly in view of the country’s security situation.
“The entire country is facing economic challenges and people continue to work on the same old salaries. We must also keep the broader national interest in mind,” he added.
Earlier, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar also strongly reacted to the development, saying the post of Sindh governor had traditionally been held by MQM-P and the party was being deprived of what he described as its constitutional right.
Given such a unilateral decision, MQM-P has no justification to remain in the federal government. We should immediately exit the coalition government,” he said.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has forwarded a summary to Asif Ali Zardari for approval regarding the appointment. The premier also held a meeting with Nehal Hashmi and congratulated him on his nomination as Sindh governor.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs Rana Sanaullah were also present during the meeting.
