The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) has highly terrified with the growing popularity of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Punjab and it has decided to devise a comprehensive mechanism to counter MQM's growing political activities in Punjab.
Sources in the PML told here on Tuesday that instead of continuing talks with its key coalition partner, MQM, the party has been asked to tackle the situation politically.
The PML would hold youth conventions, seminars and corner meetings in Punjab before next polls and to counter the growing MQM influence, a senior Leaguer said. Such an initiative on the part of Punjab PML might endanger the likely electoral alliance between the two in the next general elections.
Earlier, at an important meeting with President Musharraf in the chair it was hinted that both parties will contest elections from one platform. It is mentioned that party's provincial head, Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, had to order the closure of MQM offices across the province owing to MQM's alleged involvement in growing street crimes in the province during last month.
MQM Deputy Convenor and party's parliamentary head in the National Assembly, Dr Farooq Sattar has cautiously rejected the rift with the PML saying they are likely to form electoral alliance with the ruling party again. He said his party was not afraid of any political party like PML and no body can stop them from setting up MQM offices in Punjab or elsewhere in the country.
Dr Farooq Sattar was of the view that MQM has roots in masses. MQM has established its enrolment camps in different part of the province and Dr Farooq Sattar would visit Multan on November 13 to meet the influential political stalwarts of the area.