Governor Kamran Tessori's audio leak 'exposes' pressure on MQM-P to ally with PML-N

Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori's alleged audio leak has exposed the pressure on Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P) to become a part of the expected Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led coalition government in the centre.

In the leaked audio clip, Tessori started by explaining to his party’s Rabita Committee about the situation that occurred during PML-N and MQM-P's meeting on forming a coalition government in federal.

"We were allied with PTI. It was you, PPP and PML-N, who were on opposition benches and we helped you [in forming government] with our 7 votes [in the National Assembly]. We supported PDM which angered our voters," Tessori was heard in the audio as saying.

"We also made them realise to oversee the previous 1.5-year government which was formed with our support and they two [PPP and PML-N] were the beneficiaries," Tessori added in the audio leak.

In the audio leak, Tessori also took a dig at the seats won by PML-N in the February 8 polls, saying "There are stipulations that some parties have 200 percent fake mandate and they got their results on the third day of elections."

"Now the decision will be taken by Khalid Bhai [MQM-P convener] and the Rabita Committee on to what extent we took their pressure... PPP is pressuring them [PML-N] to not give the Sindh governorship to MQM. They have also proposed a name [for Sindh Governor] to Khalid Bhai. But I believe the decision over governorship would be taken by MQM-P but we won't work under their [PPP] dictation," the top MQM-P leader allegedly said in an audio leak.

"If we are taking a risk to support a weak government... and in return, they just give us one ministership then we should be ready to face the wrath."

However, no official statement regarding the audio leak has been issued by the Governor Sindh till the filing of this news.

A day earlier, MQM-P seniour deputy convener Mustafa Kamal's audio leak surfaced online, which was later endorsed by the former mayor of Karachi.

“An audio attributed to me has gone viral on social media. I endorse it,” Kamal said in a short video statement.

The PML-N and MQM-P are continuously conducting negotiation meetings on government formation at the Centre, however, no final agreement between the two allies was reached.