LAHORE: According to sources, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) is expected to win the Sindh governorship as well as two to three ministries as the party continues to negotiate to secure its interests in exchange for its support for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition government at the Centre.
According to reports, the PML-N has decided to limit the number of cabinet ministers, with the MQM-P likely to receive two ministries if the cabinet is to have 20 members.
The party may end up with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, but it is unlikely to receive the Ministry of Information and Technology, according to the sources.
However, negotiations with the PML-N are not the only problem that the MQM-P faces, as the Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui-led party is also facing internal division over the issue of the Sindh governor post, wherein one party faction is backing Kamran Tessori, whereas another wishes to see Khushbakht Shujaat securing the coveted provincial post.
The development comes as the party has been engaged in weeks-long negotiations with the PML-N over its share in the government in exchange for their support in the Center.
According to sources close to the Nawaz-led party, the MQM-P has urged that the governorship of Sindh be retained.
According to insiders, the Khalid-led party is prepared to vote for prime minister and National Assembly (NA) speaker positions but has indicated that it will abstain from voting in the next presidential and Senate chairman elections.
