Resignations yet to be accepted: Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. – File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday that resignations of federal and provincial ministers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had not been accepted so far and “their status as ministers is still intact”.
“The Sindh governor, federal and provincial ministers of the MQM had tendered their resignations, but we have not accepted them. Till the time their resignations are accepted their status as ministers is intact,” the prime minister said in his brief chat with reporters after presiding over the 13th Annual Awards Ceremony of National Highways and Motorway Police at the PM Secretariat.
Sources in the MQM confirmed that the party was in touch with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and talks were being held on a number of issues and that the possibility of rejoining the government could not be completely ruled out.
“It all depends upon the seriousness of the PPP leadership and the government towards tackling the Karachi situation,” said an MQM leader.
He said the incidents that took place in the past two days in Karachi showed that the government was either not serious in its efforts to maintain law and order or was incompetent.
He welcomed the prime minister’s statement that the government had ordered an inquiry into the recent violence in Malir area of Karachi.