In a rare development, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) self-exiled chief Altaf Hussain on Saturday telephoned Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan.Altaf and Imran pledged to adopt a joint strategy in future on drone attacks, the Raymond Davis issue and other matters.
Talking to The News, PTI spokesman Tahir Jamil said the MQM leader was highly appreciative of Imran’s stand on the key national issues, including the recent release of CIA contractor Raymond Davis and drone strikes.
“Your stand on national issues is appreciable because you have made practical efforts to restore Pakistan’s sovereignty and national character,” he quoted the MQM leader as telling the PTI chairman, who also spoke highly of Altaf’s clear stand in his speech on the Davis issue, drone attacks in tribal areas and Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
Altaf was of the view that there was need for practical efforts to work for national pride and sovereignty by setting aside the bitterness of the past. Imran said national leaders should speak with one voice against drone attacks and the killing of innocent Pakistanis in such barbaric acts.
The PTI chairman, the spokesman said, castigated the rulers in Islamabad and in Punjab for failing to rise to the occasion and leaving Pakistan at the time of trial and difficulty.
Both Altaf and Imran agreed to remain in touch in their efforts to adopt a collective line of action on all the important national issues.
In the recent past, the two parties have been locked in a bout of allegations and counter-allegations and it is widely believed that the latest development would help bring MQM and PTI close to each other. The PTI spokesman said it was the maiden telephonic contact between the two leaders.
