The crucial second round of talks between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will commence in London with MQM chief Altaf Hussain, when Sindh Chief Minister, Liaquat Ali Jatoi and MQM delegation headed by Senator Aftab Ahmed Shaikh will arrive in the United Kingdom.

Sources told The News that the MQM delegation, comprising Shaikh, Dr Farooq Sattar and other leaders, and Sindh Chief Minister Jatoi left for London on Thursday noon from the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport in the same plane. Federal Petroleum Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali is already in London on the advice of the prime minister, but according to reports in a section of the press, the talks remained inconclusive, and Altaf Hussain has summoned his party members. On the part of the government, Jatoi has been sent to assist Nisar.

However, Deputy Convener MQM Coordination Committee, Shaikh, before his departure for London, said, “There is no news right now. Both the sides have been reinforced as Jatoi is also proceeding to London and similar is the case with us.” He, however, claimed that “no headway has been made,” but the circle for the talks has been expanded. Referring to the extension of the parole of MQM leaders and activists, he termed it as a positive sign from the government. He, however, claimed that he has not seen the extension orders himself, but had read about them in the newspapers.

Shaikh claimed that as the process of talks is in progress, the “situation can turn out to be constructive or negative.” Replying to a question, he said the MQM has not given up the issue of “no-go areas.” He hoped that “within a day or so the position will be clear.” Shaikh said, “Let us not speculate things as the present situation during the process of talks is highly sensitive.”

Well-placed sources said that Jatoi left for London after doing his homework. The sources claimed that Jatoi has been apprised that on official record “no-go areas do not exist.” The sources maintained that it is a rift between the two political parties, and it should be settled in a political manner.