Muttahida Quami Movement Withdraws its Nominated Candidate Dr. Farooq Sattar
for the Prime Ministerial Slot As a Goodwill Gesture In Favour of The
Pakistan Peoples Party Unconditionally For the Sake of Stability of the
Country, Promotion of Democracy and in the Larger Interest of
the Country and Sindh – Altaf Hussain

London 21 March 2008

Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has decided to withdraw its nominated candidate in the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar for the Prime Ministerial slot as a goodwill gesture in favour of the candidate of the Pakistan Peoples Party unconditionally for the sake of stability of the country, promotion of democracy and in the larger interest of Pakistan and Sindh on the request of Mr Asif Ali Zardari, Co-Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party.

Two rounds of talks were held between Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of the MQM and Mr Asif Ali Zardari, Co-Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party in the past 24 hours. Mr Asif Ali Zardari made the first call on Thursday evening (20 March 2008) followed by another call on Friday afternoon (21 March 2008). Mr Asif Ali Zardari requested Mr Altaf Hussain to withdraw Dr Farooq Sattar, its nominated candidate for the slot of the Prime Minister in the National Assembly in favour of the candidate of the Pakistan Peoples Party as a goodwill gesture to help strengthen democracy in Pakistan and permeate milieu of harmony.

Mr Altaf Hussain said to Mr Asif Ali Zardari that he would put his request before the Central Co-ordination Committee. In the aftermath of this request, the Central Co-ordination Committee of the MQM held a log session and decided to withdraw its candidate unconditionally in favour of the Candidate of the Pakistan Peoples Party. However, it was also decided that his candidature would be withdrawn after deliberation with PML (Q) and other parties since Dr Farooq Sattar was a joint candidate of the Combined Opposition Parties. An emergency meeting would take place in Islamabad tomorrow in this connection.

Mr Altaf Hussain informed Mr Asif Ali Zardari of the decision of the Central Co-ordination Committee (Rabita Committee) during their telephonic conversation this afternoon. Mr Altaf Hussain said to Mr Zardari that since the Elections MQM had repeatedly expressed gestures of goodwill in the larger interest of the country and Sindh and even now MQM had decided to withdraw its candidate as a goodwill gesture and he said that hopefully Mr Zardari would not disappoint the MQM in reciprocating the sentiments and gestures demonstrated by the MQM. Mr Asif Ali Zardari expressed his gratitude to Mr Altaf Hussain on this decision and assured and promised that he would not disappoint the MQM and would work together and in cooperation. Mr Zardari further said that democracy in Pakistan would strengthen as a result of this historical decision, stabilise the country and a milieu of harmony would permeate. Mr Asif Zardari said that we should not repeat the mistakes of the past and win the heart of the people through our acts. Mr Altaf Hussain said to Mr Zardari that he wanted a strong and a sustainable relationship with all sincerity and honesty. Concluding their conversation Mr Altaf Hussain said that the beginning of today would be continued in the future and would remain in contact.