Federal Information Minister Rashid Ahmed came down heavily on the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal charging it with reversal of its commitments to the ruling coalition and thus betraying its trust.
Addressing a new conference organised at short notice here on Wednesday, Rashid said he was speaking on behalf of the Federal Government which "considers MMA as Haleef" (friends) and not "Hareef" (opponents).
He accused the alliance of religious parties of going back on its promise to the ruling coalition of support on important subjects, but he did not explain the nature or the subjects on which the MMA had committed to stand by the government.
At the same press conference, in short and quick answers to questions, Sindh Chief Minister Ghulam Rahim said that his terms with Governor Ishratul Ebad were good, and when the media persons wanted to grill him he countered: "Why do you want to spoil those relations?"
He said that the portfolios to the newly appointed MQM members of Sindh Cabinet would be decided when he would return to Karachi.
Answering a question, Rashid said that there were 10 to 12 offers from sitting members to vacate their National Assembly seats in favour of Shaukat Aziz, and decision on one or two would be taken later by new Prime Minister Shujaat Hussain.
Despite all the unhealthy propaganda to destabilise the new administration that the Finance Minister was an Ahmadi and did not believe in the finality of Holy Prophet Muhammad (BPUH), Rashid said he could foresee the result of the by-election in favour of Shaukat.
Intervening at this state, Shaukat strongly rejected the propaganda that he was an Ahmadi, saying that he comes from a religious Sunni family and believes in the finality of the Holy Prophet as a Messenger of God.
Rashid said that similar false suggestions were also being circulated against him (Rashid) and reiterated that he was a firm believer in the concept of Khatm-e-Nabbuwat and had worked for it as a student worker. He said there is a lobby which wants to disrupt the political and democratic system by circulating all sorts of rumours and stories which have no foundation.
About the conduct of MMA and some "others", which he did not identify, Rashid said that the Shujaat Administration had received offers for a 'consensus government at the Centre' and was examining these suggestions.
He did not rule out the possibility of seeking from Speaker a reconsideration on the position of Leader of Opposition in the Lower House.