Political crisis has deepened after the refusal of the MQM to participate in the reconciliatory meeting called by President General Pervez Musharraf and return to Karachi on Tuesday. However, the President held the meeting in which the Sindh chief minister's team, the prime minister, and his aides participated decided not to contact the MQM any more on this issue.
It is learnt that the President has expressed his displeasure over the attitude of the MQM, and discussed various options that may follow. In the meantime, the MQM has asked Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan to accept resignations of MQM ministers, advisers and special assistants. The President, it is said, has decided to accept resignations of the MQM ministers in the federal government.
The meeting in Islamabad has also discussed the possibilities of imposing Governor Rule in Sindh, dissolution of the Sindh cabinet and fresh contact with other willing groups to form another coalition cabinet.
In a dramatic move, the MQM on Tuesday called back its delegation from Islamabad to Karachi to express its anger over a statement of Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, who has spoken about the match between 'a tiger and a jackal.'
Meanwhile, MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq told a private TV channel that the MQM has called back its team from Islamabad to boycott parleys with the government.
The MQM team was supposed to meet President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
Dr Imran Farooq is reported to have said that the match between MQM and the government would now be held in the Sindh. That is why we have called back our team to Karachi. However, the MQM has clearly stated that it would continue to support the President in his policies and would occupy treasury benches in the Sindh Assembly.
A statement, issued from the Chief Minister House, has said the chief minister at the general council meeting of the Sindh Muslim League has referred to the famous quote attributed to Tipu Sultan regarding the life of a lion and that of a jackal. "This has no reference to our coalition partners," the statement added.
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