'Worried' Zardari goes into overdrive to resolve PPP-MQM standoff

Islamabad, Nov.29 (ANI): Perturbed by the increasing differences between the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and coalition partner the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), President Asif Ali Zardari has met National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza thrice in the past twenty-four hours to help him resolve the crisis.

According to sources privy to the developments, Mirza has advised Zardari to end the hostility between the coalition partners, as a threat to the democratic government looms large.

Zardari wants Mirza to play a non-partisan role to defuse tensions between the PPP and the MQM and bridge the gap between the two parties, sources said.

Both Zardari and Mirza maintained that coalition partners should refrain from verbal warfare, The Dawn reports.

Sources say the president may also meet with senior MQM leaders to remove what he believes to be 'misunderstandings' between the two parties.

It may be noted that Zardari has already issued directives for party leaders to avoid giving statements against the MQM.

According to the sources, Zardari called Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Provincial Interior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza and directed them not to make remarks against the MQM.

Meanwhile, Sindh Information Minister Shazia Muree said the PPP believes in political harmony, and that it would continue the reconciliation efforts with the MQM. (ANI)