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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>Karachi walls call for federal, military control as tensions rise after Gul Plaza fire</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589301/karachi-walls-call-for-federal-military-control-as-tensions-rise-after-gul-plaza-fire</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589301/karachi-walls-call-for-federal-military-control-as-tensions-rise-after-gul-plaza-fire#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 26 07:35:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Mehak Nadeem]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Karachi]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2589301</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[MQM-P steps up criticism of Sindh govt as security is withdrawn from party leaders]]>
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				<![CDATA[Political tensions in Karachi have deepened after wall chalking appeared across several neighbourhoods calling for the city to be placed under federal or military control, following the deadly Gul Plaza fire and a sharp war of words between the MQM-P and the ruling PPP in Sindh.

Slogans reading &ldquo;Karachi ko wafaq ke hawalay karo&rdquo; (Hand Karachi over to the federation) and &ldquo;Karachi ko fauj ke hawalay karo&rdquo; (Hand Karachi over to the military) were seen in areas including Liaquatabad, North Nazimabad and Haidery Market.

The messages were reportedly written by unidentified individuals late on Monday night and into the early hours of Tuesday. Videos of the wall chalking circulated widely on social media.



The graffiti gained attention in the aftermath of the January 17 fire at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road, which engulfed the commercial building within hours. At least 74 people have died, with 23 victims identified so far, according to officials.

One of the survivors of the Gul Plaza fire said she was grateful to have escaped but noted that similar tragedies had happened before. &ldquo;I thank God I was lucky enough to escape the fire, but this is not the first time this has happened &ndash; Baldia factory fire, Bolton Market, Cooperative Market, RJ Mall,&rdquo; she said.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, she questioned the lack of accountability. &ldquo;Tell me who was held accountable in earlier cases, and even now. What will the federal government do if Karachi is handed over to them?&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Karachi and its people have always been on their own for help (apni madad app). I think it is better to make Karachi independent and give it provincial status.&rdquo;

In the days following the tragedy, Federal Health Minister and MQM-P leader Syed Mustafa Kamal openly criticised the PPP-led Sindh government and questioned the 18th Constitutional Amendment, calling for Karachi to be placed under federal control.

Speaking at a press conference in Bahadurabad, Kamal said, &ldquo;People are still missing. May Allah have mercy on the families and grant forgiveness to the martyrs. MQM-P is one of the major political parties of this city and province. We have responsibilities, we understand them and we fulfil them.&rdquo; He accused the Sindh government of failing to administer Karachi and described the amendment as a &ldquo;nasoor&rdquo; (festering wound) for Sindh and Pakistan.

Separately, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar demanded a high-level judicial inquiry under federal oversight, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said the scale of the incident &ldquo;raised serious questions about governance and emergency response&rdquo; and showed a lack of confidence in the PPP government.

Read: Gul Plaza inferno came after ignored warnings, delayed response

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon rejected the allegations, saying the tragedy was the result of decades of administrative failures rather than negligence on a single day. &ldquo;During Sattar&rsquo;s tenure as Karachi mayor, decisions on the plaza&rsquo;s lease, regularisation, and urban planning laid the foundation for unsafe constructions,&rdquo; Memon said. &ldquo;Those who legitimised illegal constructions are morally and politically accountable.&rdquo;

Wall chalking has long been an informal political tool in Karachi, especially during periods of restricted political activity. During military rule in the late 1970s and 1980s, walls served as a key medium for spreading political messages and mobilising pro-democracy movements. Over time, the practice evolved into a way for parties and pressure groups to signal dissent and influence public opinion, particularly during elections and political crises.

After the Gul Plaza fire, some social media users suggested younger people were behind the latest slogans. However, no youth group or individual has claimed responsibility, and no organised platform linked to younger generations has emerged, suggesting the generational framing may be amplifying existing political narratives.

Read More: Karachi walls: The roadside Gallery

Political tensions rose further on Tuesday after government-provided security was withdrawn from several senior MQM-P leaders, including party chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Express News reported. Official security for Dr Siddiqui, Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal was withdrawn with immediate effect, while security for Anis Kaimkhani and Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi was also discontinued.

The Ministry of Interior directed security personnel to return immediately, leading to the recall of police mobile vehicles and staff. Dr Siddiqui had been assigned one mobile and eight personnel, Dr Sattar one mobile and 10 personnel, and Ali Khurshidi one mobile and eight personnel. All were withdrawn.

No official reason was given, but MQM leaders believe the move followed their criticism of the PPP government over the Gul Plaza tragedy. The party has called an emergency press conference for Tuesday at 4pm to announce its next course of action.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, MQM-P leader Aminul Haq said the move reflected panic within the PPP. He said the ruling party could not tolerate criticism and that the MQM would continue to raise public concerns at every forum. He added that such tactics would not stop the party from highlighting what it called the Sindh government&rsquo;s criminal negligence in the Gul Plaza incident.

Meanwhile, search operations at the fire-hit Gul Plaza building were nearing completion, and the structure was set to be sealed after a final inspection, Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso said on Monday. Personnel from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation began sealing work, digging pits around the building to install iron shuttering, while officials said the site would also be enclosed with green plastic netting.

No formal platform linked to younger generations has emerged, indicating that generational labels are being used to frame or amplify existing political narratives rather than reflect a distinct youth-led movement.

&ndash; With additional input from Abbas Naqvi]]>
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			<title>MQM links support for constitutional amendment to empowering local govts</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2502395/mqm-links-support-for-constitutional-amendment-to-empowering-local-govts</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2502395/mqm-links-support-for-constitutional-amendment-to-empowering-local-govts#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 12 Oct 24 18:38:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[news.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2502395</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A PML-N delegation, led by Ishaq Dar, is expected to visit MQM’s Bahadurabad headquarters on Sunday]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM) has made its support for the constitutional amendment contingent on the inclusion of changes to Article A-140, aimed at empowering local governments across the country.

According to an MQM spokesperson, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with an MQM delegation in Islamabad on Saturday to discuss the constitutional amendments. During the meeting, the MQM demanded that local governments be given greater authority and proposed a draft amendment to Article A-140.

Sources revealed that the MQM delegation, which included Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Aminul Haq, and Farooq Sattar, met with the prime minister, while the government was represented by Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Saad Rafique, and Rana Sanaullah.

The MQM team presented a draft amendment to the prime minister, outlining their demand to strengthen the powers of local governments. In response, Prime Minister Sharif tasked Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Sanaullah, and Saad Rafique with reviewing the MQM&#39;s proposal.

MQM sources stated that a high-level Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, is expected to visit the MQM&rsquo;s Bahadurabad headquarters to discuss the proposal in detail.

The PML-N team is likely to meet MQM leaders on Sunday to finalise their stance on the constitutional amendment, with the discussions scheduled for 2pm at Bahadurabad.]]>
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			<title>MQM-P rejects ‘figures manipulation’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2471752/mqm-p-rejects-figures-manipulation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2471752/mqm-p-rejects-figures-manipulation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jun 24 19:52:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2471752</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Democratic traditions ignored while presenting budget and no pre-budget discussion held]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi said that MQM-Pakistan has rejected Sindh budget terming it a manipulation of figures. He said the opposition will register a strong protest in the assembly.

He said that democratic traditions were ignored while presenting the budget and no pre-budget discussion was held. Their suggestions were ignored and not considered.

Khurshidi said that the CM presented a traditional budget in which the Safe City project was neglected as usual. The 65 million gallon water project was also not included in the budget.

Read&nbsp;Sharjeel chides MQM-P for disrupting session

The budget of the Sindh government is increasing, but the condition of the province is getting worse. Failure is also evident in the health and education sector. The budget copy was also not given on time in the assembly. Khurshidi added that MQM-P wants to establish a good working relationship with Pakistan Peoples Party but youth of Karachi are being killed in street crime.]]>
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			<title>Seeking a ‘Karachi Package’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2468012/seeking-a-karachi-package</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2468012/seeking-a-karachi-package#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 May 24 18:42:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2468012</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Despite being Pakistan’s economic hub, Karachi is  grappling with infrastructural challenges]]>
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				<![CDATA[The agreement between MQM-Pakistan and PPP to work together in seeking a &ldquo;Karachi Package&rdquo; from the federal government is a commendable example of how rival parties should put politics aside to work in the interest of their constituents. Karachi desperately needs infrastructure investment. Despite being Pakistan&rsquo;s economic hub, it has long been grappling with infrastructural challenges, including inadequate public transport, water and sanitation issues, and traffic congestion. Meanwhile, the local and provincial governments also have serious payroll and pension issues to address. Financial support from Islamabad for the infrastructure issues would free up local funding for payroll and pensions.

The PPP already controls the Sindh government, which makes Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab&rsquo;s work significantly easier, but despite also being allies with the PML-N government in Islamabad, the federal government&rsquo;s precarious financial situation means that pushing for extra funding will require all hands on deck. Incidentally, MQM-P also sits on the government benches and is the fourth-largest party in the parliament. With the PPP still not officially a full part of the ruling coalition, the MQM-P is technically the second biggest coalition member and should, in theory at least, be able to sway the PML-N in some ways, especially since the PPP is unlikely to threaten to use its trump card &mdash; walking away and causing the government to lose a confidence vote. 

Speeches from MQM-P leaders after a recent meeting with PPP leaders suggest that the party would play the role of a &lsquo;friendly opposition&rsquo; to focus on getting things done. While critics may cry foul, given the PPP&rsquo;s outright majority in the Sindh Assembly, this makes sense &mdash; the PPP can pass whatever legislation it wants, so the only way for the MQM-P to be relevant and visible until the next election cycle is to work with the PPP so it can claim partial credit for some legislation, while also drawing attention to areas that need them.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2024.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>PPP, MQM-P bury the hatchet, join hands</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464825/ppp-mqm-p-bury-the-hatchet-join-hands</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464825/ppp-mqm-p-bury-the-hatchet-join-hands#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 02 May 24 05:29:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Naeem Khanzada]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2464825</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[MQM says ties with PPP soured after PML-N reneged on its promises after elections]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[In a major breakthrough, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) resolved on Wednesday to put past grievances behind them, ending the deadlock between the two parties.

Insiders privy to the development told The Express Tribune that a meeting held between President Asif Ali Zardari and a delegation from MQM-P took place in an atmosphere of cordiality.

Led by Federal Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, the MQM delegation convened with President Asif Ali Zardari at the Chief Minister House, extending felicitations on his second term as president.

Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal accompanied Siddiqui, the party&#39;s convenor. The gathering also saw the presence of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

President Zardari affirmed a commitment to inclusive governance and stressed the importance of engaging all stakeholders in government affairs. In response, the MQM delegation pledged cooperation.

However, the MQM took the opportunity to voice discontentment with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), saying it changed its political strategy due to unfulfilled promises made by the PML-N before the elections.

According to sources within the MQM, there is considerable discontentment towards the PML-N, as agreements reached with them before the elections have not been honored despite its sincerity in dealings with the ruling party.

The party bemoaned the fact that, due to the PML-N&#39;s actions, relations with the PPP also soured, sources added.

MQM leaders, as per the sources, expressed frustration with what they perceive as the PML-N&#39;s reliance on centralized control. They stated, &quot;The PML-N seems to believe that placing all authority in one person&#39;s hands will resolve everything.&quot;

Furthermore, the MQM delegation conveyed their intention to forge enduring alliances with the PPP and other political entities.

Meanwhile, expressing apprehension about rising street crime in the city, the MQM raised the issue with President Asif Ali Zardari, who directed the interior minister to promptly address the matter.]]>
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			<title>MQM-P takes up transfer of 'tainted cops' to city</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464128/mqm-p-takes-up-transfer-of-tainted-cops-to-city</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464128/mqm-p-takes-up-transfer-of-tainted-cops-to-city#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 24 20:14:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2464128</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sindh Assembly opposition leader says IG Memon assured them of withdrawing order]]>
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				<![CDATA[Opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly and leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Ali Khursheedi has stated that the rising street crime in Karachi is not just a political issue but a humanitarian crisis, which has claimed the lives of more than 60 citizens so far.

In a statement issued after a meeting with the Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar and IG Ghualm Nabi Memon, he said they discussed in detail the issue of posting in Karachi the police officers and officials transferred from Shikarpur for having links with the dacoits of kacha area.

It has been reported that 79 policemen who were the facilitators of Kacha&#39;s dacoits have been transferred to Karachi, Khursheedi said adding, &quot;the IG has assured of withdrawing the order.&quot;

Khursheedi said that during the meeting with the home minister and the IG, the MQM-P delegation was assured of appointing and posting people of Karachi when there is a vacancy in the city, instead of transferring officers or personnel from other districts of Sindh.

The MQM-P team pointed out that many SHOs brought from interior Sindh take six months to understand the jurisdiction of their precinct.

He further said that MQM is a responsible party. Three press conferences have been held on the rising street crime. He also raised his voice in the Sindh Assembly.

During the extensive meeting at the police headquarters, spanning over two hours, the MQM-P team delivered a resolute message, asserting that the patience of Karachi&#39;s residents had reached its limit, warning of potential public mobilisation to encircle police stations if grievances remained unaddressed.

He said that they will support the government at all levels to prevent street crime. They are here for the support they want from them.

Lanjar claims crime rate falling

Meanwhile, a statement issued from the office of the Home Minister stated that Lanjar asked the MQM-P delegation to work together to make citizens safe

The meeting held under the chairmanship of Home Minister Lanjar regarding the law and order situation in province was attended by a 11-member delegation of MQM-P led by Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi.

Mayor Murtaza Wahab and provincial ministers Jam Khan Shoro and Dost Ali Rahmon were also present in the meeting. Home Minister Lanjar and IG Memon welcomed the MQM delegation.

IG briefing the meeting on the law and order situation and police actions said 67 police encounters have taken place this year in which 16 criminals were liquidated.

&quot;Madadgar 15 Centres are being upgraded to the modern standards, and 168 vehicles and 120 motorcycles are being provided to Madadgar 15,&quot; he said.

IG Memon said that 386 motorcycles of the Shaheen Force are also patrolling the streets under the supervision of the relevant SSPs. He added that 4000 devices have been recommended for the e-tagging of habitual criminals, and draft rules and SOPs have been prepared.

The meeting was informed that the Command and Control Center at the CPO Office has been upgraded, and 2,000 cameras have been installed, with an additional 325 new cameras to be installed. Similarly, 500 old cameras are being upgraded.

IG Sindh said that under the Sindh Smart Surveillance System, modern and advanced technology face recognition cameras are being installed at 40 toll plazas in Sindh, and 28 toll plazas have been completed so far.

Lanjar said it is essential to work on the existing law for the protection of witnesses, as strong evidence is necessary for a solid case.

He directed that measures be taken for the protection of witnesses so that they can confidently testify in court without fear.

Home minister appealed to the MQM delegation to work together for the betterment of law &amp; order and to support the police in their efforts against street criminals.

Later, Lanjar, provincial ministers, and others visited the CPO Command and Control Centre and reviewed the monitoring situation and appreciated the existing systems with certain suggestions on its improvement.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27th, 2024.]]>
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			<title>MQM-P seeks Centre’s intervention amid rising street crimes in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2462674/mqm-p-seeks-centres-intervention-amid-rising-street-crimes-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2462674/mqm-p-seeks-centres-intervention-amid-rising-street-crimes-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 24 15:38:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Webdesk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2462674</guid>
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				<![CDATA[PPP opposes MQM-P’s demand; Nasir Hussain Shah claims govt employing ‘best practices’ to address issue]]>
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				<![CDATA[Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Monday sought the Centre&rsquo;s intervention to address the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi &mdash; a demand vehemently opposed by the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Addressing a press conference, former senator and senior MQM-P leader Nasreen Jalil expressed deep concerns over the prevailing sense of fear gripping the city. &quot;We are tired of attending the funerals of our loved ones,&quot; she lamented.

MPA Ali Khursheedi lamented that some ministers seemed to be content with the current law and order situation in the city, urging the government officials to at least empathise with the bereaved families.

Read: Street crimes in Karachi

&quot;We will persistently raise this issue in both the national and provincial assemblies,&quot; Khursheedi asserted, warning of potential street agitation if the government fails to act promptly.

Reacting to the demands, senior PPP leader Nasir Hussain Shah urged MQM-P to refrain from actions that could tarnish its own image. He noted that MQM-P is the first party to oppose any operation initiated in Karachi.

Shah highlighted the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies, including targeted operations against street criminals.

Read: Street-crime upsurge: MQM-P urges action on Karachi security

&quot;Police and Rangers are continuously conducting targeted operations against street criminals in Karachi. MQM has emphasized that speakers of a particular language are involved in these criminal activities. However, criminals are simply criminals; they have no affiliation with any religion or ethnicity. The government is employing best practices to address the issue of street crime,&quot; Shah stated.

In recent months, the country&#39;s most populous city has witnessed an upsurge in street crime, which has prompted concerns over public safety and the apparent lack of law enforcement measures.

Incidents of street crime have become rampant across the city, and their CCTV footage has become viral on social media platforms, day in and day out.

Furthermore, as per data compiled by the Citizen Police Liaison Committee, an organisation that collects crime data in Karachi, during January and February: a total of 106 fatalities occurred in the city, 11 cases of kidnapping for ransom were reported, a staggering 10,488 motorcycles and 441 cars were stolen, and approximately 4,000 incidents of mobile phone snatching were reported.]]>
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			<title>PPP to seek votes for Zardari's presidential election from all parties, says Murad</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458148/ppp-to-seek-votes-for-zardaris-presidential-election-from-all-parties-says-murad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458148/ppp-to-seek-votes-for-zardaris-presidential-election-from-all-parties-says-murad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 02 Mar 24 10:25:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sameer Mandhro]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2458148</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Murad highlights positive working relationship between the PPP and the MQM-P]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah&nbsp;expressed confidence&nbsp;on Saturday that PPP Co-Chairperson&nbsp;Asif Ali Zardari would secure majority&nbsp;votes for his second term as president.

Speaking to the media before the submission of Zardari&#39;s nomination papers before&nbsp;Chief Justice of Sindh High Court Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi, officially confirmed Zardari as presidential candidate.&nbsp;

Murad was accompanied by PPP leader Faryal Talpur, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Speaker Sindh Assembly Awais Qadir Shah, Nisar Khuhro, Agha Siraj Durrani, Syed Nasir Shah, Sharjeel Memon, Saeed Ghani, Imtiaz Shaikh, Sardar Shah, Sohail Siyal, Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed, and others.

Responding to a question, Shah highlighted the positive working relationship between the PPP and the MQM-P, emphasising their history as coalition partners. He stated that the PPP would seek votes from all political forces in the parliament, including the MQM, for Zardari&#39;s presidential election.

Read Zardari, Achakzai submit nomination papers for president slot

Shah also compared the effectiveness of the local body system in Sindh with&nbsp;those in other provinces, asserting that the province&#39;s system was more powerful and efficient. He mentioned MQM&#39;s interest in replicating Sindh&#39;s successful local governance in Punjab through an agreement with the PML-N.

When asked about Ali Amin Gandapur&#39;s statements, the chief minister stated that as an elected CM of K-P, he will be following the lead of his party&#39;s leadership. Murad also mentioned that it is evident from Gandapur&#39;s statements that he is in line with his party leader&#39;s views.

Murad also addressed the issue of alleged election rigging in Sindh, stating that the PPP, like in other provinces, was addressing complaints through legal procedures rather than resorting to public protests. He respected all MPAs, including those from PTI, and highlighted the importance of collaboration for the benefit of the province.

Earlier, CM Murad, accompanied by over 30 MPAs, visited the Sindh High Court to officially propose Zardari as the presidential candidate. PPP MPA Syed Nasir Shah seconded the nomination, and the scrutiny of nomination papers is scheduled for March 4, 2024, in Islamabad.]]>
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			<title>PTI-independents say ROs made MQM win</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2456996/pti-independents-say-ros-made-mqm-win</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2456996/pti-independents-say-ros-made-mqm-win#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 19 Feb 24 21:17:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2456996</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The allegations put forth by PTI nominees underscore the need for transparent and fair electoral practices]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Independent candidates fielded by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Hyderabad, including Dr Mustansar Billah and Naeemuddin, have come forward asserting PTI&rsquo;s sweeping victory not only in Hyderabad but across the nation.

Speaking at a joint press conference held at the Hyderabad Press Club, Dr. Mustansar Billah, PTI&rsquo;s nominee from NA-219, expressed concern over the defeat of independent candidates aligned with PTI, alleging foul play orchestrated against them.

Dr Mustansar highlighted PTI&rsquo;s purported nationwide dominance in the general elections, citing specific polling station data from NA-219, where PTI reportedly secured a significant number of votes. He criticized the traditional stronghold of MQM in Hyderabad, accusing them of manipulating the electoral process and undermining the democratic mandate.

Despite facing challenges such as the removal of PTI&rsquo;s symbol, the &ldquo;bat,&rdquo; Dr. Mustansar emphasised the success of PTI candidates and implicated Returning Officers (ROs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) in alleged rigging incidents. He pointed to specific instances, like in PS62, where PTI candidates were purportedly leading by a substantial margin but were declared losers under dubious circumstances.

Similarly, Naeemuddin, PTI&rsquo;s nominee from PS64, echoed Dr Mustansar&rsquo;s concerns, citing irregularities observed after the polling period ended. He lamented discrepancies between Form 45 and Form 47, indicating possible tampering with the election results. Naeemuddin asserted that these malpractices not only undermine the electoral process but also cast doubt on the credibility of esteemed national institutions.

The allegations put forth by PTI nominees underscore the need for transparent and fair electoral practices, ensuring the integrity of democratic processes and upholding the will of the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th 2024.]]>
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			<title>SHC issues notice on MQM worker’s bail plea</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454636/shc-issues-notice-on-mqm-workers-bail-plea</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454636/shc-issues-notice-on-mqm-workers-bail-plea#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jan 24 20:45:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2454636</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bharam was accused of murdering police officer Abrar Hussain Zaidi]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to all concerned parties on the bail application of MQM&#39;s Saeed Bharam, facing a murder case, for the next hearing. 

Appearing before the bench, the defence lawyer pointed out that the trial court focused on an incident that happened in 2009 and handed Bharam life imprisonment in 2017. Bharam was accused of murdering police officer Abrar Hussain Zaidi.

Read:&nbsp;SHC admits appeal of wife&rsquo;s killer

However, the Supreme Court approved the appeal against the sentence, resulting in its suspension. Thereafter, Bharam submitted a bail application, contending that the trial court did not adhere to statutory requirements while imposing the initial sentence.

According to the prosecution, the case against Bharam was registered in 2009 at Nabi Bakhsh police station, and he was convicted by an anti-terrorism court. The case was registered on the complaint of the brother of the late police officer Abrar Hussain Zaidi.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2024.]]>
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			<title>Two former MQM leaders join PPP</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451586/two-former-mqm-leaders-join-ppp</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451586/two-former-mqm-leaders-join-ppp#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 29 Dec 23 20:54:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2451586</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Anees Advocate and Raza Haroon make announcement in meeting with Asif Zardari]]>
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				<![CDATA[Anees Advocate and Raza Haroon, two prominent leaders from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), formally joined the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) along with their associates on Friday.

Anees and Haroon, the two former members of the MQM-P Coordination Committee, announced their decision in a crucial meeting with PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari in Karachi.

On the occasion, Zardari stated that the PPP&#39;s &quot;Charter of Karachi&quot; would have profound and lasting effects on the future of the metropolis. He asserted that the PPP truly represented the people of Karachi, advocating for the restoration of the city&#39;s lights that had been dimmed by those opposed to peace, and promoted of discord.

Zardari highlighted that the PPP, after securing power at the Centre with the votes of the Karachiites, would mark the first time the federation was led by a party elected by the people of Karachi.



صدر پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی پارلیمنٹرینز اور سابق صدر مملکت آصف علی زرداری سے ملاقات کے بعد ایم کیوایم کے سینئر رہنما انیس ایڈووکیٹ اور رضا ہارون ساتھیوں سمیت پی پی پی میں شامل@AAliZardari

مزید پڑھیں: https://t.co/26lr6luHO3 pic.twitter.com/B5pD531LEl
&mdash; PPP (@MediaCellPPP) December 29, 2023



Zardari said the party&#39;s desired to attract global investors to Karachi, transforming it into an economic hub akin to Dubai. Such a transformation, he added, would not only benefit Pakistan but also investors worldwide due to its strategic geographical location.

Read&nbsp;Political analysts sceptical of PPP manifesto&rsquo;s feasibility

Zardari also highlighted the 10-point agenda put forth by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at a recent public rally in Garhi Khuda Bux.

He assured that after coming into power, the PPP would initiate welfare projects in Karachi and other cities nationwide, providing much-needed relief to the common man amid the challenges of extreme inflation.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>Past rulers destroyed the city of lights: PML-F</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451380/past-rulers-destroyed-the-city-of-lights-pml-f</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451380/past-rulers-destroyed-the-city-of-lights-pml-f#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 27 Dec 23 20:45:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2451380</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Only bold, fearless leadership can solve problems of Karachi]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan Muslim League Functional (PML-F) Secretary General Sardar Abdul Rahim has said that the past rulers did not pay any attention for the betterment of Karachi but gave priority to their vested interests as a result the city of lights has turned into piles of dirt, garbage and so many other problems.

The youth of the city have been misguided by wrong slogans, but now they are politically conscious and have started joining the Functional League, said Sardar Abdul Rahim, who is also the Secretary General of the Grand Democratic Alliance.

He welcomed former sector in-charge of MQM-Pakistan North Nazimabad, Akhtar Hussain Naeemi and office bearer Arsalan Hussain in the fold of PML-F.

Akhtar and Arsalan met Rahim and announced their joining of the functional league along with their other colleagues.

Read&nbsp;PML-F accuses PPP of rigging LG polls

On this occasion, Sardar Abdul Rahim said that the future of the youth of Karachi is bright in the PML-F. Only bold and fearless leadership can solve the problems of Karachi. 

He directed the leaders and workers of the Functional League to start a door-to-door campaign to make the GDA candidates successful in the upcoming general elections. 

He has demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take notice of the local government representatives belonging to the PPP who rigged the elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>552 in the run in Hy’d</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451084/552-in-the-run-in-hyd</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451084/552-in-the-run-in-hyd#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 24 Dec 23 20:40:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2451084</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[In 2018 polls, MQM-P had won two seats of NA and three seats of PS from City and Latifabad talukas]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Some 552 candidates have submitted their nomination forms to the Returning Officers in Hyderabad to contest the upcoming general elections on three seats of the National Assembly and six of the Sindh Assembly.

As many as 393 nomination forms have been filed against the six seats of the PS and 159 for the three seats of the NA.

In the 2018 general elections, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) had won two seats of NA and three seats of PS from City and Latifabad talukas.

Read&nbsp;MQM-P calls for end to influential political system

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had emerged successful on one National Assembly and three provincial assembly seats from Qasimabad, Hyderabad and Latifabad. The PPP had also won the LG polls from Hyderabad and got elected the party&#39;s mayor, while the MQM-P had boycotted.

The prominent candidates from the two parties include the former legislators Sharjeel Memon, Jam Khan Shoro, Hussain Tariq Shah Jamote, Abdul Jabbar Khan, Sabir Hussain Qaimkhani, Salahuddin, Syed Waseem Hussain, Rashid Khilji, Nasir Qureshi and Dilawar Qureshi, among others.

&nbsp;

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2023]]>
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			<title>First phase of general election concludes today</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451013/first-phase-of-general-election-concludes-today</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451013/first-phase-of-general-election-concludes-today#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 24 Dec 23 04:49:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Naeem Asghar]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2451013</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Several top politicians among thousands of intending candidates entering the polls fray]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The first phase of the general elections will conclude on Sunday (today), the last day of filing nomination papers by the candidates to contest on the 266 general and 70 reserved seats of the National Assembly and more than 600 seats in all the four provincial assembly.

The process of filing of nominations was supposed to complete on Friday, but the Election Commission of Pakistan extended the three-day time period to five days on the request of the various political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Saturday was the fourth day and thousands more papers were filed by the candidates from all the political parties, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and others.

Read&nbsp;Candidates continue to file nominations

The prominent politicians who filed papers on Saturday included PTI founder Imran Khan for NA-122 in Lahore; PML-N Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz for NA-119 and NA-120, Lahore; Akhtar Mengal of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) for NA-264, Quetta; Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman for NA-246 and NA-250, Karachi; former opposition leader Raja Riaz for NA-104 Faisalabad, and several others.

Imran Khan had also filed the nomination papers from his hometown constituency in Mianwali. However, he received a setback earlier this week, when the Islamabad High Court (IHC) turned down his petition for suspending his conviction in the Toshakhana case.

Now, the PTI founder and former prime minister, who is currently lodged in the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, looked to the Supreme Court to becoming eligible to contest the elections, as he challenged the IHC decision in the Supreme Court.

Read more&nbsp;Entire PTI shouldn&rsquo;t be blamed for May 9: PM

Imran petitioned to the Supreme Court to suspend his conviction in the Toshakhana case until the final decision of his appeal pending in the IHC. However, the Registrar&rsquo;s Office raised objection that the documents attached with the appeal were incomplete. The plea could now be re-filed by January 6.

So far, 148 nominations had been filed for three National Assembly seats from Islamabad. The candidates include PTI&rsquo;s Shoaib Shaheen for all the three constituencies, Aamir Mughal for two seats Mustafin Kazmi and Aamir Shaikh for one seat each. From the PML-N, Zeeshan Naqvi and Rafat Chaudhry filed for NA-47 and NA-48, respectively.

Among other candidates, MQM-P&rsquo;s Nadeem Mansoor submitted the nomination paper for NA-47. Similarly, nomination papers were also submitted by the candidates from the Awami National Party, (ANP), Awami Workers Party (AWP) and the JUI-F.

In Sindh, the Provincial Election Commission said that a total of 1,405 papers had been received so far from the Karachi Division --- 333 for 22 National Assembly seats and 1,072 for 47 Sindh Assembly seats.

In other parts of the province, prominent among the candidates are PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Faryal Talpur, Nisar Khuhro, Rashid Mahmood Soomro, Dr Safdar Abbasi, Jamil Soomro, Khursheed Junejo, Moazzam Abbasi, Kazim Abbasi, Suhail Siyal, Nadir Magsi, and others.

Read more&nbsp;Work on seat adjustment begins at district level

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PPP Information Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi, Tehreek-e-Labbaik, Pakistan (TLP) local Ameer Haji Shafiq Qasuria, JI&rsquo;s local leader Muhammad Yousaf and independent candidate Makhdoom Jawad Asghar submitted their papers.

Officials and political activists said that many more nomination papers would be filed on Sunday (today) &ndash; the last day for submitting the nominations for the general elections, scheduled for February 8, 2024.
From Monday (tomorrow), the ECP would kick-start the next phase of the elections with the scrutiny of the submitted papers. The scrutiny process is slated to continue till December 30, according to the revised election schedule.

In the third phase, appeals against the acceptance or rejection of the nomination papers can be submitted until January 3, 2024 with decisions expected by the 10th of January. Then the ECP will release the updated list of candidates on the 11th of January.

Read&nbsp;ECP summons Establishment Division secy

The candidates will have January 12 to withdraw their nomination papers. After which date, the ECP will allocate the electoral symbols to the candidate on January 13. The voting in the general elections will take place February 8.

Meanwhile, the ECP has given more time to foreign observers, who want to monitor the general elections, to submit their applications from December 31 to January 20, an ECP official said. He said that the ECP had printed over 200,000 accreditation cards for the election coverage.

The election-24 is being held on the basis of newly-demarcated constituencies after the digital census. There are several cases pending in the courts over the new delimitation. The ECP said on Saturday it would decide about the objection to the delimitation after compiling the election results.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)]]>
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			<title>MQM-P urges devolution via constitutional amendments</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2449438/mqm-p-urges-devolution-via-constitutional-amendments</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2449438/mqm-p-urges-devolution-via-constitutional-amendments#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 09 Dec 23 05:28:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2449438</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mustafa Kamal laments financial resources not being transferred to grassroots level]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Senior Deputy Convener Mustafa Kamal has said that his party has proposed three constitutional amendments for the devolution of powers from the Chief Minister&rsquo;s House to the people in the streets in order to save the country.

Addressing the &lsquo;Meet the Editors&rsquo; programme of the Council of Newspaper Editors (CPNE) on the theme of &lsquo;General Elections and Future Strategy&rsquo;, Kamal said that the amendments proposed by the MQM-P were vital to save the country. He said that the party was sending these proposals to the leaders of all political parties.

Read&nbsp;&nbsp;MQM-P plans election rallies across Sindh

&ldquo;Those who are angry with the slogan of province should support our constitutional amendments,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Despite the 18th Amendment, powers and financial resources have not been transferred to the grassroots level.&rdquo; He criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), saying that the former ruling party in the provinces was banking on the boycott from London.

However, he asserted that the MQM-P would win all 22 National Assembly seats from Karachi in the upcoming general elections.
&ldquo;The MQM is fully active for the preparation of the elections,&rdquo; Kamal said. The MQM-P leader added that currently, there were three major political parties in the country &ndash; the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the PPP.

Read more&nbsp;MQM-P raises serious objection to fresh delimitation

On the occasion, MQM-P Coordination Committee member and former federal minister Aminul Haq said that elections would be held on Feb 8. He assured that the MQM-P fully believed in the freedom of expression and the rights of journalists. Whenever any attempt was made to usurp the rights of journalists or restrict the freedom of expression, Haq added, the MQM-P, along with the CPNE and other journalist organisations, resisted and thwarted such moves at every forum, including parliament.]]>
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			<title>MQM-P plans election rallies across Sindh</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2449273/mqm-p-plans-election-rallies-across-sindh</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2449273/mqm-p-plans-election-rallies-across-sindh#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Dec 23 19:53:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2449273</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Focal point of campaign will be major rally in Hyderabad on Dec 22]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has unveiled plans to organise a series of rallies across the province in anticipation of the upcoming general elections. 

In a strategic move to bolster its public outreach efforts, the party is gearing up for a grand rally in Karachi, with subsequent rallies in key cities.

Read&nbsp;&nbsp;MQM-P raises serious objection to fresh delimitation

The first of these rallies is slated for December 10 in Maymar Town, Karachi, followed by a public meeting in Mirpurkhas on December 15, which will include a prayer session commemorating the fall of Dhaka. 

ECPublished in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>MQM-P raises serious objection to fresh delimitation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448887/mqm-p-raises-serious-objection-to-fresh-delimitation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448887/mqm-p-raises-serious-objection-to-fresh-delimitation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 04 Dec 23 08:44:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2448887</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Siddiqi accuses PPP of dividing province on ethnic lines]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[&nbsp;

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi said on Monday that it was important that the upcoming general elections were not only transparent but those must be seen as transparent.

Talking to the media persons after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja in Islamabad, Siddiqi warned that if the elections in February 2024, were held same as those in 2018, the country&#39;s economic, political and social crises would increase.

&ldquo;The date of the general elections in Pakistan has been announced. It is important that the general elections are held not only transparently but those must be seen as being held transparently,&rdquo; Siddiqi told reporters.

On the occasion, Siddiqi was critical of the caretaker Sindh government. &ldquo;Caretaker governments have been established as per the Constitution across the country, but in Sindh, the caretaker government is still run by former ministers of PPP [Pakistan Peoples Party],&rdquo; he alleged.

&ldquo;We are still waiting for [an actual] caretaker government in Sindh. There is an impression that the caretaker government of Sindh is the caretaker of the wishes and interests of the PPP,&rdquo; the MQM-P convener said.

Read Local govts should be in place before elections: Kamal

Siddiqi expressed reservation on the fresh delimitation of the constituencies by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), accusing the poll supervisor of ignoring his party&rsquo;s objections. He also charged the PPP with dividing the province on ethnic lines.

&ldquo;Constituencies in Sindh are a clear proof of the nexus of the Sindh Election Commission and Peoples Party. The staff of the Election Commission in Sindh are the sworn workers of the People&#39;s Party,&rdquo; Siddiqi claimed.

&ldquo;Election Commission Sindh did not seriously consider the objections raise by any party, including MQM-P regarding the [delimitation of the] constituencies. &ldquo;The Peoples Party has divided Sindh linguistically, electorally and politically.&rdquo;

On the occasion, MQM-P Senior Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar said it seems that the PPP had reached the Election Commission of Sindh. &ldquo;Not a single objection of the MQM was accepted by the Election Commission of Sindh but all the objections of the Peoples Party were accepted,&rdquo; he continued.

&ldquo;All urban areas, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah, have been illegally divided,&rdquo; he said, adding that &ldquo;after so much injustice in revamping the constituencies, what to talk about the level-playing field?&rdquo;]]>
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			<title>MQM secures PML-N’s backing for strong LG system</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448466/mqm-secures-pml-ns-backing-for-strong-lg-system</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448466/mqm-secures-pml-ns-backing-for-strong-lg-system#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 30 Nov 23 05:15:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2448466</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Ahsan says party will support ally’s proposed constitutional tweaks in parliament]]>
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				<![CDATA[PML-N leader and former federal minister Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said his party endorsed a strong and effective local government system after his meeting with an MQM-P delegation &ndash; its ally in Sindh &ndash; at his Islamabad residence.

Speaking to the media after the huddle, Iqbal told the media that the MQM-P delegation had presented the draft of constitutional amendments to his party and the two sides discussed it.

&ldquo;There is no platform more effective than local governments to solve people&#39;s problems. We assured them [MQM-P] that we will extend our complete support to have the constitutional amendments approved by the next parliament,&rdquo; he added.

The PML-N leader reiterated his party&rsquo;s unwavering support for the MQM-P. The two parties also decided to move ahead with their allies in Sindh to bag more seats. &ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t talk about sharing any kind of positions or ministries, but only focused on the people and their problems,&rdquo; the PML-N leader maintained.

Read&nbsp; MQM-P, ANP join forces for polls

Iqbal claimed that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was convicted in fabricated cases. He hoped that Nawaz would be exonerated in the Al-Azizia case too after his acquittal in the Avenfield reference. Speaking on the occasion, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar, who was part of the delegation, explained that his party and the PML-N had joined hands in an attempt to develop a national consensus.

He added that his party had done its homework and came to the conclusion that only a strong local government system could ensure the progress of the country. MQM-P leader Mustafa Kamal said the PPP, a former coalition partner of both the parties, did not have the excellence that any other party could not form its government in Sindh.

The PPP has been in power in Sindh for nearly 1.5 decades and the province is considered its stronghold. &ldquo;We [MQM-P] are the second largest party in Sindh. Even the PML-N has had a chief minister in the province too,&rdquo; he pointed out. He continued that the parties in the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) had also remained in power in Sindh as well.

Kamal&rsquo;s remarks made it further clear that the alliance between the PML-N and MQM-P is aimed at dethroning the PPP in Sindh.]]>
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			<title>Upcoming polls will show the real power of MQM-P</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447391/upcoming-polls-will-show-the-real-power-of-mqm-p</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447391/upcoming-polls-will-show-the-real-power-of-mqm-p#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Nov 23 21:19:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2447391</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Party says already planned victory celebrations for Feb 9]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Muttahida Qaumi Miovement-Pakistan (MQM-P) held general workers meeting on the road adjacent to the party&#39;s central office - Pakistan House.

MQM-P convener, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Senior Deputy Convener, Syed Mustafa Kamal, deputy conveners and members of the coordination committee, central organising committee, and large number of workers were present in the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that the purpose of the meeting was to announce the celebration of day of thanks (youm-e-tashakkur) scheduled for February 9 a day after the February 8 General Elections. He said, the Election Day of February 8 will see dreams of those who think they will conquer Karachi turn into nightmare of defeat. 

He mentioned that the purpose of the MQM-P delegation went to Lahore was not to take power but to get the rights of the urban areas of Sindh. 

He said, we do not need to show certificate of patriotism to anyone. He said that the people including men, women and children have stood up for the formation of a new Pakistan with a new pledge. We don&#39;t want to fight, but everyone should keep in mind that we know how to fight.

Addressing the meeting, Syed Mustafa Kamal said that those who are calling MQM a dead horse are restless and sleepless. Those who say that MQM will not get votes should tell about the performance of their 15-year tenure. 

Kamal said we have made sacrifices to establish peace in the city, our opponents are tense that MQM is so strong that no one can topple it. Today&#39;s gathering is making sure that MQM will win all the seats in the city on February 8.

In his address, Deputy Convenor, Anees Qaim Khani said that the meetings of political parties are not as big as MQM&#39;s general workers meeting in Karachi. Today, the MQM is united and organised under the leadership of Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Syed Mustafa Kamal and Dr Farooq Sattar and will get overwhelming success on February 8, from Karachi and Hyderabad.

Deputy Convener Izhar-ul-Hasan said in his address that despite all the difficulties, MQM is going to contest polls in a strong, organised and dynamic way and today&#39;s general workers meeting will determine the future direction.

&nbsp;

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2023.]]>
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			<title>PPP, PTI have secret nexus for upcoming polls: MQM-P</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447130/ppp-pti-have-secret-nexus-for-upcoming-polls-mqm-p</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447130/ppp-pti-have-secret-nexus-for-upcoming-polls-mqm-p#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 18 Nov 23 21:28:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2447130</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sattar says MQM party has decided to open 100 election offices in the city by December 15]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Senior Deputy Convenor of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Dr Farooq Sattar has said that the PPP and PTI have a secret nexus as the PTI prime minister had never spent a day in Karachi. He was speaking at the inauguration of his party&rsquo;s election office in Sector 5-E of New Karachi on Saturday.

&ldquo;Empowered district governments, strong local bodies, and a strong Karachi can guarantee a strong Pakistan,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If Karachi is allowed to progress, then Pakistan will progress.&rdquo; 

Sattar further said that his party has decided to open 100 election offices in the city by December 15 because they do want to use the old offices of the MQM.

Read&nbsp;MQM-P says elections means to reach destination

Sattar came down hard on the PPP, saying that the party has not done anything for the city during its 15-year rule in Sindh. 

Sattar also sought to snub political pundits who talked about the irrelevance of his party. &ldquo;If the MQM is a dead horse, then it has to be buried. You should play the trumpet, celebrate,&rdquo; he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>PML-N team arrives for talks with GDA, MQM</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2446023/pml-n-team-arrives-for-talks-with-gda-mqm</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2446023/pml-n-team-arrives-for-talks-with-gda-mqm#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 11 Nov 23 21:31:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2446023</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[MQM will present three constitutional amendments in charter of demands]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Political wheeling and dealing has intensified after the announcement of polling date by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Political parties are reaching out to likeminded groups for possible electoral alliances. Karachi has become the hub of political maneuvering where the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) have become the most sought-after parties. 

A delegation of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is expected to arrive in the metropolitan city to explore the possibility of electoral alliances with the Sindh-based parties, as per sources. The delegation will comprise senior PML-N figures, including Ayaz Sadiq and Khawaja Saad Rafiq.

The PML-N delegation is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting with the top GDA leadership, including Pir Pagara. A visit to the Bahadurabad office of the MQM is also part of their itinerary. Last week, the PML-N and MQM announced to contest elections jointly after a meeting between their senior leadership in Lahore. 

Read&nbsp;PML-N, MQM-P tie the &lsquo;electoral knot&rsquo;

Sources said that the MQM will present three constitutional amendments in their charter of demands during the meeting with the PML-N delegation. 

These demands include direct allocation of the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) award to districts, incorporation of institutions under local government, and inclusion of a clause stating that general elections should not proceed until local elections are conducted.

The meeting is expected to delve into other demands, including development projects, water management, transportation initiatives, Karachi Circular Railway plans, as well as model schools and university projects for Sindh, with a focus on Karachi.

&nbsp;

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>Kamal criticises state’s ‘oppressive system’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2444789/kamal-criticises-states-oppressive-system</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2444789/kamal-criticises-states-oppressive-system#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 04 Nov 23 21:23:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2444789</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Kamal highlights unequal distribution of resources]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), Senior Deputy Convener, Syed Mustafa Kamal, strongly criticised Israel, labeling it as a terrorist state, while urging that Hamas, a Palestinian organisation, should not be considered a terrorist group. He expressed concern about the plight of the two million Muslims suffering in Palestine, stating that their presence cannot be erased. 

During his media interaction after appearing in Karachi&rsquo;s accountability court, he criticised the current oppressive system in Pakistan. He highlighted the unequal distribution of resources, with prime minister and chief ministers holding all powers. 

&nbsp;

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>MQM leader moves court against smear campaign social media</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2441242/mqm-leader-moves-court-against-smear-campaign-social-media</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2441242/mqm-leader-moves-court-against-smear-campaign-social-media#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 14 Oct 23 20:56:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2441242</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Insists that those responsible for managing and circulating videos should appear before court]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The leader of MQM Pakistan, Rauf Siddiqi has taken legal action by filing a petition in the Sindh High Court on a social media campaign against him. 

In his petition, Rauf Siddiqi mentioned that in 2017, Captain Moiz of Pakistan Navy held a press conference where he made various allegations against him. Rauf Siddiqi moved the court against his allegations and appeared in the court in all hearing but Captain Moiz did not come to any proceedings. After Captain Moiz passed away, Rauf Siddiqi did not pursue the case. However, his old videos have been repeatedly circulated on social media by Al Khidmat.

Rauf Siddiqi now insists that those responsible for managing and circulating these videos should appear before the court. The allegations of corruption and extortion made by the late Captain Moiz are being perpetuated through these videos. These videos are being disseminated through the official website of Al Khidmat, and Rauf Siddiqi believes they are doing so in a state of panic. He has declared that he intends to distribute any awarded compensation, once he wins the defamation claim, to those in need.

&nbsp;

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>MQM, JUI-F join forces to fight PPP in Sindh</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2435968/mqm-jui-f-join-forces-to-fight-ppp-in-sindh</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2435968/mqm-jui-f-join-forces-to-fight-ppp-in-sindh#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 15 Sep 23 06:00:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2435968</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Leaders express reservations over transfers, postings by caretaker govt]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[In what appeared to be an effort to strengthen their position in the upcoming general elections, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) agreed on Thursday to work together to achieve their common goal of countering the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh.

At a joint media talk in Karachi, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar and JUI-F Sindh Secretary General Rashid Mehmood Soomro also expressed reservations on the transfers and postings of officials in the province by the caretaker Sindh government.

A JUI-F delegation, led by Soomro and including Maulana Abdul Karim Abid, Maulana Ghiyas, Maulana Aminullah, Syed Hamaadullah Shah, visited the MQM headquarters in Bahadurabad and held talks with the party leadership.

At the joint news conference, Dr Sattar said that the time had come to rid Sindh of the &ldquo;political feudals&rdquo;, who were controlling the province&rsquo;s administrative affairs for the past 15 years. &ldquo;We have decided that we will not allow the use of Sindh card anymore. Enough is enough,&rdquo; Sattar added.

These political feudals, the MQM leader said, had crossed all limits. &ldquo;Excesses were committed against the people in Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Kashmore and Karachi,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Injustice is being meted out to the innocent people under the guise of nationalism,&rdquo; he added.

&ldquo;There is lawlessness in the whole of Sindh,&rdquo; Dr Farooq Sattar said. He expressed concerns over the appointment of officers by the caretaker government, saying that this phenomenon had been going on for the past 15 years.

Read PPP discloses benefits MQM-P derived from federation

On the occasion, Soomro said that the people of Sindh would not fight for a single tribe or family. Highlighting the law and order situation, he said that if there were weapons in Karachi, the dacoits have anti-aircraft guns in Kashmore. &ldquo;From Karachi to Kashmore, people&rsquo;s rights are being trampled.&rdquo;

&ldquo;In the meeting with the MQM leadership today, it is agreed that the Jamiat, GDA [Grand Democratic Alliance] and the MQM will work together for the rights of the people regardless of their race and caste,&rdquo; Soomro said. &ldquo;We agreed that if there is a people&rsquo;s party in Sindh, it is the MQM and the GDA.&rdquo;

Read MQM-P, PPP activists clash over fixing flags

The JUI-F leader told reporters that the MQM, the GDA and the Jamiat, all had reservations over recent appointments and transfers in the provincial bureaucracy. He appealed to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to address their reservations.]]>
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			<title>MQM leaders meet PM</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2434209/mqm-leaders-meet-pm</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2434209/mqm-leaders-meet-pm#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 05 Sep 23 04:21:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2434209</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Leaders discussed problems of Karachi, thanked PM for taking steps to resolve them]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders Mustafa Kamal and Anis Qaimkhani called on Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday and discussed matters relating to mutual interests.

During the meeting, both leaders discussed the problems of Karachi with the prime minister and thanked him for taking steps to resolve those issues, a press release issued by the PM Office Media Wing said.

Also read MQM wants polls after new delimitation

Also, the prime minister directed the Ministry of Finance to devise an effective strategy to bring economic stability in the country.

The prime minister said this in a meeting with Interim Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar who called on him.

The finance minister also briefed the prime minister on the current economic situation in the country.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>ECP invites MQM-P, JI on Monday to discuss polls</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2432548/ecp-invites-mqm-p-ji-on-monday-to-discuss-polls</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2432548/ecp-invites-mqm-p-ji-on-monday-to-discuss-polls#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 26 Aug 23 17:35:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2432548</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Commission completes consultation process with PTI, JUI-F and PML-N; calls PPP on 29th]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has invited the MQM-P and Jamaat-e-Islami for consultations on the upcoming general polls on August 28 (Monday).

According to sources, the commission will take opinions on the elections from the heads of the two political parties.

The ECP has already completed the process of consultation with the PTI, JUI-F and PML-N.

The delegations of the three political parties presented their proposals to the chief election commissioner and other members of the ECP.

The commission has called the PPP on August 29 to consult with it on the polls.

Read more:&nbsp;HRCP says Muslim leaders complicit in Jaranwala attacks

The heads of political parties have been called for consultations on the date of the general polls, publication of electoral lists, and fresh delimitation of constituencies.

The ECP has also decided to meet with the police chiefs, chief secretaries and provincial election commissioners of the four provinces in connection with the preparations for the general polls.

The commission has called a high-level meeting on the upcoming elections on August 29.

The police chiefs, chief secretaries and provincial election commissioners of Sindh and Balochistan have been instructed to attend the huddle.

Read:&nbsp;&lsquo;CTD arrests both main accused in Jaranwala rampage&rsquo;

The participants of the meeting will review the preparations for the upcoming general elections in the two provinces.

The commission will brief the Sindh and Balochistan police chiefs on the security plan for the general elections.

The chief secretaries of the two provinces will also be briefed on the administrative preparations for the general polls.

In a related development, the 11-day training of 29 newly inducted officers of the commission concluded on Friday at the Pakistan Electoral Academy for Research and Management located within the premises of the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad.

The training highlighted several crucial facets of the electoral process with seasoned and knowledgeable officials of the commission providing instructions to the newly inducted officers.

This training served to enhance the new officers&rsquo; understanding of the electoral framework.

During the closing ceremony, Additional Director General for Training and Gender Nighat Siddique congratulated the new officers.

She also encouraged them to apply the lessons learned during their training sessions.

It is worth mentioning that these officers also received training at the Civil Services Academy in Lahore.

(With input from APP)]]>
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			<title>PM orders correcting Sindh’s voter lists</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2426936/pm-orders-correcting-sindhs-voter-lists</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2426936/pm-orders-correcting-sindhs-voter-lists#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jul 23 09:18:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent/APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2426936</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shehbaz says in meeting with MQM-P delegation elections will not be held on old census]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given instructions to correct the irregularities found in the voter lists of citizens of Sindh, especially Karachi, saying bluntly that elections will not be conducted on the basis of the old census, according to a Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan spokesperson.

The development came during a meeting of the MQM-P delegation with Premier Shehbaz at the PM House on Wednesday.

The delegation led by party Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui included Federal Minister for Information Technology Syed Aminul Haque, Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori, Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal.

Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique and Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq were present at the meeting.

According to the MQM-P spokesperson, Prime Minister Shahbaz bluntly told the delegation that the decision to conduct the elections on the basis of the old census had not been taken.

The spokesperson said that Prime Minister Shehbaz issued directives for correcting the irregularities found in the voter lists of citizens of Sindh, especially in Karachi.

The prime minister, according to the spokesperson, has assured the delegation of consultation with the MQM-P at every stage of all important decisions.

The spokesperson said that MQM-P was an important coalition party with which the prime minister had formed a committee to ensure consultation.

&ldquo;The committee will ensure consultation with the MQM-P on all matters, including the new elections and the caretaker government,&rdquo; the spokesperson quoted PM Shehbaz as saying.

Ayaz Sadiq, Ahsan Iqbal and Khawaja Saad Rafique would be included in the advisory committee, he added.

The delegation paid tribute to the prime minister for personally monitoring the federal government&rsquo;s ongoing projects in Karachi and ensuring speedy work on a priority basis.

The MQM-P delegation also praised the premier and his economic team&#39;s efforts in completing the agreement with the International Monetary Fund.

PM Shehbaz&nbsp;continued&nbsp;his marathon meetings to thrash out a consensus on the timing of the upcoming general elections as well as the shape of the caretaker government that would oversee the polling process.

In a meeting with former president Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held at the PM House on Tuesday, the leaders discussed the overall political situation in the country and consulted about the caretaker set-up.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Economic Affairs Minister Sardar Ayaz Sadiq were also present during the meeting.

According to sources, it was decided during the meeting that other coalition parties would also be consulted.

Meanwhile, sources have told&nbsp;The Express Tribune&nbsp;that no decision had been taken yet to dissolve the National Assembly, adding that it would come after consultation with the coalition parties.]]>
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			<title>PM seeks to allay MQM-P’s census concerns</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2408930/pm-seeks-to-allay-mqm-ps-census-concerns</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2408930/pm-seeks-to-allay-mqm-ps-census-concerns#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 30 Mar 23 04:08:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2408930</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[They also apprised the prime minister of the issues of Karachi]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to resolve the issues raised by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and removal of their apprehensions regarding the ongoing consensus.

A delegation of MQM-P comprising convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Minister for IT Syed Aminul Haque called on the premier.

Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was also present on the occasion, PM Office Media Wing said in a statement.

The delegation congratulated the premier on the passing of Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Bill by the National Assembly.

They also apprised the prime minister of the issues of Karachi.

On Sunday, the MQM-P&rsquo;s Rabita (Coordination) Committee announced that if there were errors in the statistics of the ongoing 7th Population and Housing Census in the country, the party would conduct its own head count.

During a huddle of the MQM-P&rsquo;s Rabita Committee, presided over by Siddiqui, sources said the participants discussed a range of issues including the country&rsquo;s political situation, census and local government by-elections.

The party expressed its grave concerns over the process of the country&rsquo;s first digital census, observing that its reservations over the exercise were coming true.

It was pointed out that the census staff had failed to reach several areas.

With input from APP]]>
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			<title>Altaf loses court battle for London property</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2405866/altaf-loses-court-battle-for-london-property</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2405866/altaf-loses-court-battle-for-london-property#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Mar 23 15:22:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2405866</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[London High Court rules Altaf not a beneficiary of trust controlling properties in UK]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) won a long-running legal battle against its founder, Altaf Hussain, over the ownership of London properties worth &pound;10 million, MQM-P Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui confirmed on Monday.

Addressing a press conference, along with senior party leaders Dr Farooq Sattar, Mustafa Kamal, Nasreen Jalil, at the party headquarters, Siddiqui hailed a ruling of the London High Court&rsquo;s a victory for the party.

Media reports said that the Insolvency and Companies Court (ICC), the properties division of the high court, ruled that the MQM-P and its members were the rightful beneficiaries of the trusts, controlling the properties.

The properties, valued at an estimated Rs3.4 billion, remained under the control of the MQM founder until now. The court ruled that Altaf had resigned from the party after his August 2016 speech, therefore, he was no longer a beneficiary.

Read MQM-P leader sent defamation notice

The MQM-P has six properties, while one property had been sold and all of them were now owned by the MQM-P, the party leader said. &ldquo;These properties will be used for families of martyrs, missing workers and prisoners,&rdquo; Siddiqui added.

Siddiqui confirmed that Barrister Nazar Muhammad, MQM-P counsel, conveyed the details of the verdict by the telephone from London and congratulated the MQM-Pakistan on the success of the case.

&ldquo;It has now been established globally that MQM-Pakistan is real MQM and there are no branch or faction,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;These properties are the property of the people &hellip;We will use this money for the families of martyrs and cases of missing and arrested workers.&rdquo;

He said that there was a collective decision of the top leadership of MQM-P that &ldquo;we will neither use this money for personal nor for political purposes&rdquo;. He added that a part of it would also be given to the family of martyr Dr Imran Farooq.]]>
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			<title>MQM-P stands more powerful today: Siddiqui</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2396687/mqm-p-stands-more-powerful-today-siddiqui</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2396687/mqm-p-stands-more-powerful-today-siddiqui#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 23 20:24:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Karachi]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2396687</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Muttahida general workers meeting resonates with slogans to take back Karachi]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A reborn Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has embarked on a new journey, said its convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi.

He was addressing a mammoth MQM-P General Workers Meeting held at KMC Ground, adjacent to Pir Elhi Bakhsh (PIB) Colony late on Wednesday night. 

MQM-P Deputy Convener Amir Khan, members of coordination committee, Syed Mustafa Kamal, Anees Qaim Khani, Dr Farooq Sattar, officials of different wings of MQM-P, Haq Parast lawmakers, and women participated in the meeting in large numbers.

MQM-P Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi said that today, on this decisive occasion, the more united and organised Muttahida Qaumi Movement is starting a new and fresh journey. &ldquo;When we decided to withdraw from the elections, the people gave up their right to vote. These workers are the real powerhouse of Karachi. Now they will run Karachi from the streets. We will run Karachi. Those who win will be ashamed, history will declare them criminal.&rdquo;

He said that Mutaheda is starting a new journey after unity. &ldquo;It is not bias that you support your nation is against cruelty,&rdquo; he told the crowd and claimed &ldquo;MQM has never committed atrocities and never supported people who did atrocities.&rdquo;

Those who won the local government elections are ashamed that even five per cent of people of Karachi did not come out, MQM-P leader said. 

Siddiqui said that Mustafa Kamal told you that the Sindh government admitted its mistake. The Sindh government admitted the irregularity of 53 seats. &ldquo;Now my question is to the members of Jamaart e Islami and PTI that you went to the court against the wrong constituencies, so why did you participate in the elections today?&rdquo;

MQM-P convener reminded, &ldquo;our slogans of demanding rights for Karachi seemed illegal and against the Sharia to Jamaat-e-Islami but today they have adopted the same slogans. We had gone to the courts against the last census and the results of the census proved our fears right. Until today, these courts have not heard our case for a single day.&rdquo;

He said that this is the slogan for the survival and security of Pakistan that &ldquo;we created Pakistan and we will save Pakistan&rdquo;. 

&nbsp;

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>MQM-P says Karachi, Hyderabad rejected polls with low turnout</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2396046/mqm-p-says-karachi-hyderabad-rejected-polls-with-low-turnout</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2396046/mqm-p-says-karachi-hyderabad-rejected-polls-with-low-turnout#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jan 23 14:57:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2396046</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[No one will accept these local body elections as they have no legal status, says Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has said that &ldquo;very low&rdquo; voter turnout in the local body polls&nbsp;has shown that people of Karachi and Hyderabad have rejected the &ldquo;illegitimate&rdquo; elections.

&ldquo;Very low voters&rsquo; turnout has proved that local body elections were illegal, hence the people of Karachi and Hyderabad have rejected this attempt at pre-poll rigging,&rdquo; MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui told reporters on Sunday.

He was addressing the press conference along with other party leaders, including Farooq Sattar, Mustafa Kamal, and others at party&rsquo;s Bahadurabad headquarters in Karachi.

&ldquo;No one will accept these local body elections as they have no legal status and the people have rejected this&nbsp;conspiracy to snatch their rights,&rdquo; he added.

Siddiqui said that the majority of the voters did not turn up at the polling stations &ldquo;which is a referendum in favour of the MQM&rsquo;s boycott&rdquo;.

In a late night development on Saturday, the MQM-P announced boycotting the local government elections in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Thatta divisions held on Sunday (today).

Also read: MQM-P boycotts LG elections in Sindh

&ldquo;Our reservations over the delimitation of local government constituencies have not been addressed despite several assurances from the provincial government,&rdquo; Siddiqui had announced while addressing a news conference after attending a major huddle at the party&rsquo;s Bahadurabad headquarter.

Elaborating on his reservations regarding delimitations, Siddiqui in today&rsquo;s presser said Sindh and federal governments have also accepted their stance that 73 union councils were not formed during the biased delimitations of the local body constituencies

&ldquo;Now we will take decisions on streets not in Houses, he remarked.

Speaking on the occasion, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar said newly-elected local government representatives will not get public support.

&ldquo;Karachi has been deprived of basic 70 seats which is equal to one separate city,&rdquo; he added.

Terming the local body polls &ldquo;rigged,&rdquo; Sattar said Jamaat-e-Islami, PTI, TLP and all others participating&nbsp;in the election showed that they did not give importance to the 73 UCs.]]>
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			<title>Bilawal urges MQM-P to fully participate in Sunday’s LG polls</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395891/bilawal-urges-mqm-p-to-fully-participate-in-tomorrows-lg-polls</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395891/bilawal-urges-mqm-p-to-fully-participate-in-tomorrows-lg-polls#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 14 Jan 23 15:24:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2395891</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sources say MQM-P has decided to contest local body elections in Karachi and Hyderabad tomorrow]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[PPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday urged MQM-Pakistan to fully participate in the second phase of Sindh local body elections scheduled to be held tomorrow (Sunday).

His statement comes as MQM-P is mulling to boycott the polls or quit the coalition government at Centre in protest over &ldquo;biased delimitations&rdquo; of the local government constituencies in Karachi and Hyderabad.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) earlier today once again rejected the Sindh government&#39;s request to postpone the LB polls in Karachi and Hyderabad.

Also read: ECP stands firm, says Sindh LG polls as per schedule on 15th

In today&rsquo;s statement, Bilawal said it is hoped that its coalition partner will contest the polls, saying that they are trying to hold local body elections so that development work can be carried out in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions.

&ldquo;MQM-P should take part in the polls. Our focus at the moment is the elections,&rdquo; he added.

The PPP chief urged the people to come out in large numbers and exercise their right to vote and elect local government representatives.

Bilawal said that PTI chief Imran Khan is only thinking about his vested interests instead of serving the masses. He said his party will work with whichever party won tomorrow&rsquo;s LB polls.

Separately, PPP leader Asifa Bhutto Zardari, in a message to the workers and the supporters, urged the people to fulfil their responsibility by casting ballot in the local body elections.

&ldquo;PPP is the only party that believes in human rights and equality. Karachi is the city of all of us. Vote for arrow for the development and prosperity of Karachi city on January 15,&rdquo; she added.

&lsquo;MQM-P decides to contest LB polls&rsquo;

MQM-Pakistan Rabita Committee has decided to contest local body elections despite its reservations over delimitations of the constituencies in Karachi and Hyderabad, according to sources.

Also read: PDM leaders move to placate MQM-P after divorce threat

The insiders said the decision was taken following MQM-P&rsquo;s important huddle chaired by its convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui at party&rsquo;s Bahadurabad headquarters in Karachi.

Sources added that MQM-Pakistan federal ministers Aminul Haq, Faisal Sabzwari and special assistant Sadiq Iftikhar have been stopped from performing their official duties until the party takes a decision in this ragard.

The insiders said despite displeasure with federal and Sindh governments over non-fulfilment of promises, MQM-P decided to take part in the polls and the party&rsquo;s Rabita Committee will also hold a press conference later today to inform the media about its decisions.]]>
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			<title>JI asks army take notice of MQM’s threats</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395592/ji-asks-army-take-notice-of-mqms-threats</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395592/ji-asks-army-take-notice-of-mqms-threats#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 23 20:24:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2395592</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Says newly-united MQM backed by PPP conspiring to sabotage LG polls]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Reacting to the threats and claims made by the newly-united Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said that certain elements are pumping courage into the newly-reunited MQM for challenging the state institutions. He has requested the top brass of the army to take notice of these threats and deal with the elements damaging the apolitical image of the army with iron hands. 

Addressing a hurriedly-called press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq on Thursday he questioned the MQM leaders saying, &quot;Who are you to claim that you will not let the elections happen. Time has gone when the MQM used to capture the entire city at gunpoint.&quot;

He recalled that high-level army officials had termed the action against the MQM as action against terrorism. He also recalled that action against the MQM was taken under the National Action Plan.

He said that the MQM opted for escaping the local government polls and facing Karachiites in elections. The JI leader held the PPP responsible for facilitating the MQM. 

He made it clear that any notification or ordinance against the law to further delay the local government polls will be resisted with full force. 

Earlier in the day, Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the government and state institutions to take notice of the threats against a constitutional and legal process by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). 

JI Karachi Ameer said that all groups of the MQM have collectively conspired to deprive Karachiites of their due constitutional and democratic right. He further said that the PPP-led Sindh government was hands in gloves with the MQM for this conspiracy. 

Engr Naeemur Rehman reiterated his demand to ensure free and fair local bodies elections on January 15 as per the schedule. He also demanded in principle to deploy the army and Rangers personnel in static position at polling stations to avoid any untoward incident. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>Unified MQM factions mull LG polls strategy</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395586/unified-mqm-factions-mull-lg-polls-strategy</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395586/unified-mqm-factions-mull-lg-polls-strategy#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 23 20:21:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[naeem.khanzada]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2395586</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Meeting held to discuss plans following Supreme Court decision]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Coordination Committee after succeeding in materialising the return of dissidents Syed Mustafa Kamal, Anees Qaim Khani and Farooq Sattar in Muutahida&#39;s fold on Thursday held an important meeting chaired by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

The meeting considered the issues regarding the local bodies&#39; elections and resolved to wait for the decision of the Supreme Court. Another meeting will be held on Friday evening (today) in which the future plan of action will be decided.

The meeting was held at MQM-P Bahadurabad office in which Mustafa Kamal, Anees Qaim Khani, Farooq Sattar, Waseem Akhtar, Aamir Khan, Khawaja Izharul Hasan, Aminul Haq, Faisal Sabzwari and other members of the coordination committee were present.

Siddiqui welcomed Mustafa Kamal, Anees Qaim Khani and Farooq Sattar and consulted them on important issues. According to sources, various options were considered regarding the local bodies elections. The coordination committee is waiting for the decision of the Supreme Court on Friday in light of which future strategy will be formulated.

Sources say that MQM-P is considering various options, including separating itself from the coalition government and joining the opposition.

Meanwhile, MQM&#39;s Senior Deputy Conveyor Aamir Khan, who had been inactive for three months, also turned up at the meeting few minutes before the merger of PSP in MQM-P, surprising many on the occasion.

Talking to Express News, Aamir Khan said that he has just come from Dubai yesterday and has no resentment with MQM factions reuniting. All decisions are within my knowledge, and I am aware of the situation, he said, adding that MQM is a reality as time has proved and all should come on one platform. Unity is blessed if the intentions are good.

Aamir Khan was asked whether he could sit with Anees Qaim Khani and Mustafa Kamal, to which he said that there is no final word in politics, and can sit with everyone. It will only benefit from the unity that is taking place, he said. Aamir Khan was also present in the press conference and also participated in the Coordination Committee meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>PDM leaders move to placate MQM-P after divorce threat</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395709/pdm-leaders-move-to-placate-mqm-p-after-divorce-threat</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395709/pdm-leaders-move-to-placate-mqm-p-after-divorce-threat#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 23 18:17:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Naeem Khanzada]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2395709</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shehbaz, Zardari, Fazl speak with Siddiqui and assure him of progress on demands]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The senior-most leadership of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) contacted Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Friday after the latter threatened to part ways with the ruling coalition over local bodies elections in Karachi.

The MQM-P convened a meeting of the party&rsquo;s Coordination Committee, where a majority of members suggested quitting the government if the local bodies elections were not postponed, sources said, adding that the party&rsquo;s federal ministers handed their resignations to Siddiqui.

The MQM-P wants the local government elections on the basis of &ldquo;correctly-demarcated constituencies&rdquo;. The local bodies elections are due on Sunday (tomorrow) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declined Sindh government&rsquo;s request for postponing the vote.

Soon after the MQM-P said it was considering quitting the coalition, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contacted Siddiqui and assured him of &ldquo;positive progress&rdquo; on his demands. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also spoke with Siddiqui.

According to sources, the political leaders assured Siddiqui of headway on the MQM-P&rsquo;s demands. &ldquo;The prime minister promised to resolve the issues by late night and give him good news,&rdquo; a source privy to the development told The Express Tribune.

Read&nbsp;MQM-P reunifies breakaway factions ahead of LG polls

Meanwhile, hectic consultations were under way till late night following the MQM-P&rsquo;s threat of divorcing the ruling coalition. The senior MQM-P leaders reached Governor House late at night, while the Sindh government also convened an important meeting at the Chief Minister House.

According to the sources, senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ayaz Sadiq also contacted Siddiqui and assured him of the resolution of their issues. Till late night, no decision had been taken regarding the local elections.

Siddiqui said that former president Asif Zardari had been contacted, adding that Zardari said that he was aware of the MQM-P&rsquo;s difficulties. Siddiqui also said that Zardari had kept his promises but &ldquo;now we have to see how he will fulfil his promise with us&rdquo;.]]>
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			<title>MQM-P reunifies breakaway factions ahead of LG polls</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395485/mqm-p-reunifies-breakaway-factions-ahead-of-lg-polls</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395485/mqm-p-reunifies-breakaway-factions-ahead-of-lg-polls#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 23 12:43:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2395485</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Siddiqui warns MQM-P will not let elections take place on Jan 15 if issue of delimitations not fixed]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) Chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal and MQM Organisation Restoration Committee founder Dr Farooq Sattar on Thursday buried the hatchet and announced rejoining the MQM-Pakistan to &ldquo;jointly raise voice for the rights of the people of urban areas of Sindh&rdquo;.

The announcement came ahead of the local government elections in Karachi and Hyderabad, which are set to take place on January 15.





&ldquo;Our efforts to unify all factions [of the MQM] have borne fruit and all those who were hatching conspiracy against us will be disappointed today,&rdquo; MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui told a joint news conference at party&rsquo;s Bahadurabad headquarters on Thursday.

He was flanked by Kamal, Sattar and other party leaders.

Siddiqui observed that Karachi was the city which &ldquo;feeds the country&rdquo; but none of the political parties had done anything for its development.

&ldquo;All [the politicians] come here, make false promises and go back. No one feels the pain for Karachi,&rdquo; he said.

Siddiqui stressed that in view of the prevailing circumstances, it was imperative that all the factions of the MQM join hands and work together for the betterment of the urban areas of Sindh.

&ldquo;It is the need of the hour that we, the sons of Karachi, become one voice and fight for the rights of the urban areas of Sindh&hellip; Karachi is mini Pakistan and the revenue engine of the country,&rdquo; he said.

&nbsp;&ldquo;We have united for the survival of Pakistan.&rdquo;

&quot;I welcome all of you including Mustafa Kamal bhai (brother) and Farooq Sattar bhai and their supporters,&rdquo; the MQM-P chief remarked.

He said during the last five years, census, constituencies and job quota in the urban areas of Sindh had been subjected to prejudice. &ldquo;No one feels the pain of Karachi except us.&rdquo;

Siddiqui warned that they would not let the local government polls take place on January 15 if the issue of delimitations was not fixed.

&ldquo;We will not let the [local body] elections take place on January 15&hellip; We are ready to contest elections if delimitations are fixed by overnight but if not then we will fight for our identity,&rdquo; Siddiqui announced as he alleged that attempts were being made to snatch the mandate of the Mohajirs by gerrymandering.

Speaking on the occasion, Kamal said the reunification of different factions of the MQM would go down in history as the most important development.

&ldquo;On March 3, 2016, we put our lives at stake and raised voice for the people of this city. Before our entry (PSP formation), innocent people were being killed, which has stopped [now]. We played major role in this regard,&rdquo; he said while referring to the launching of his party against MQM founder Altaf Hussain.

&ldquo;We did not rid the city of the influence of Altaf Hussain and RAW so that (PPP Co-chairperson) Asif Zardari could take over this city,&rdquo; he added.

Kamal said he had decided to set aside differences and join MQM-P as a &ldquo;conspiracy&rdquo; was being hatched to occupy different areas of Karachi. He said they would jointly launch a struggle to help the Sindh urban population get their rights.

&ldquo;Today we are beginning another migration into MQM-Pakistan,&rdquo; he remarked.

Kamal said Zardari was trying to make his son Bilawal Bhutto prime minister of the country.

&ldquo;If he wants to make Bilawal premier then he needs to realise that this is not possible without addressing the grievances of the people of Karachi and other urban areas [of Sindh],&rdquo; he added.

He demanded the release of missing MQM workers, saying a one-time amnesty should be given to them &ldquo;as they had played a major role for the development of this city&rdquo;.

&ldquo;We will work under the leadership of Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui bhai,&rdquo;he added.

&lsquo;MQM is a ray of hope&rsquo;

Speaking on the occasion, Sattar said the merger of MQM factions was an important development not only for Sindh&rsquo;s urban areas but for the entire country.

&ldquo;MQM is a ray of hope in the current political and economic crisis for Pakistan as all political parties of the country are fighting with each other. Our action will show why we have gathered here,&rdquo; he added.

Speaking about flood aid pledges of over $10 billion, Sattar said Karachi alone could gather such amount if an opportunity was given.

&ldquo;Today we are launching an organised and dynamic MQM. The division of MQM was a deadly poison. We are putting aside all [our differences] and reuniting under the banner of MQM.&rdquo;

Responding to a question, Sattar said he had advised the MQM-P to quit the federal government &ldquo;and don&rsquo;t even look towards the [PPP-led] provincial government&rdquo;.

However, he was interrupted by Siddiqui. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t give any policy statement. We will consider all options in the meeting,&rdquo; he maintained.

Sattar said by confiscating the powers of 140-A, the province had resorted to pre-poll rigging against which they would stage &ldquo;biggest sit-in in the country&#39;s history on Shahrah-Faisal&rdquo;.]]>
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			<title>Afaq to join MQM-P protest on January 9</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2394465/afaq-to-join-mqm-p-protest-on-january-9</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2394465/afaq-to-join-mqm-p-protest-on-january-9#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 23 20:51:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Karachi]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2394465</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A delegation led by MQM-P convener reached the residence of the Chairman of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement Afaq Ahmed]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Mohajir Qaumi Movement has accepted Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) invitation to participate in the January 9 protest against electoral rolls based on the allegedly prejudiced delimitation of constituencies, census data and voter lists.

A delegation led by MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui reached the residence of the Chairman of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement Afaq Ahmed in Karachi. 

Talking to the media after the meeting, Siddiqui said, &quot;It is not the time to remain confined to the interests of political parties as we are confronted with the problem of our community and the city, for which there is a need to raise a voice collectively&quot;. 

Siddiqui said that for Urdu speaking population UCs have been demarcated for population for 90,000 people, while in other areas, a UC is approved for population of 25,0000.

MQM leader Afaq Ahmed said that his party will participate in the protest to be staged on January 9. &quot;I do not promise to participate in a personal capacity, but the workers of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement will participate&quot;, he said. MQM-P has brought families of Mohajir martyrs, &quot;we respect them.&quot;

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>PTI seeks action against Sindh governor for 'acting as MQM head'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393817/pti-seeks-action-against-sindh-governor-for-acting-as-mqm-head</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393817/pti-seeks-action-against-sindh-governor-for-acting-as-mqm-head#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 23 15:07:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2393817</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PTI MPA writes to President Alvi, terms Governor's actions 'political maneuvering' ahead of Karachi LG polls]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary leader Khurram Sher Zaman has written a letter to President Arif Alvi against Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori over his efforts to unify various MQM factions.

In the letter shared on his Twitter handle, the PTI MPA accused the Sindh governor, who belongs to MQM-Pakistan, of abusing his official position to conduct &quot;partisan politics on behalf of the MQM, as if he is the party&rsquo;s head&quot;.

&ldquo;The Governor of a province represents you [the President] and the Federation and thus, the office of Governor should be non-partisan and&nbsp;thus, avoid doing politics on behalf of any political party,&rdquo; read the letter.



سندھ کے گورنر اپنے دفتر کا بےدریغ سیاسی استعمال کررہے ہیں، گورنر سندھ آئین کے تحت وفاق کے نمائندے ہیں مگر کامران ٹیسوری ایم کیو ایم کے نمائندے کا کردار ادا کررہے ہیں، صدر مملکت گورنر ہاؤس کے غلط استعمال پر کامران ٹیسوری کیخلاف فوری نوٹس لیں۰ pic.twitter.com/NyRR25SEqa
&mdash; Khurrum Sher Zaman 🇵🇰 (@KhurumSherZaman) January 2, 2023


&quot;The Governor has been&nbsp;visiting political offices of the MQM, PSP and other factions of the MQM in an attempt at political maneuvering or...political engineering to unite these political parties ahead of local body elections in Karachi and Hyderabad,&quot; it read.

Khurram termed Tessori&rsquo;s actions a &ldquo;clear violation&rdquo; of the Constitution, asking&nbsp;the president to investigate his alleged misconduct.

A day earlier, former prime minister Imran Khan said MQM factions were being reunited and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leaders included in the PPP to counter the PTI in the next elections.

Also read: Tessori&rsquo;s major bid to unify MQM factions

Due to the efforts of the Sindh governor, MQM&rsquo;s Rabita (coordination) Committee expressed its support for former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal-led Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) and Dr Farooq Sattar&#39;s decision to rejoin the party.

The Sindh Governor&#39;s House is now the focal point of political activities and Tessori is playing a crucial role in bringing about the merger of the MQM factions.

At a full quorum meeting to unify the factions, the MQM last week formally took all the members of the coordination committee into confidence for the first time &ndash; a development that was being hailed as a significant breakthrough.]]>
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			<title>Efforts to unify MQM factions hit roadblock</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393672/efforts-to-unify-mqm-factions-hit-roadblock</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393672/efforts-to-unify-mqm-factions-hit-roadblock#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jan 23 07:24:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Karachi]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2393672</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PSP insists on changing party’s name, flag and electoral symbol]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The ongoing efforts to unify different factions of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have hit a roadblock as the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) chairman Mustafa Kamal insists on changing the party&rsquo;s name, flag, and electoral symbol.

Sources said the MQM is under immense pressure to change the party&rsquo;s name, flag, and electoral symbol, but Convener Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that he would not give in.

If an agreement is reached on unifying all the MQM factions, a central committee will be formed with Dr. Khalid Maqbool as its head. Members will include Dr. Farooq Sattar, Mustafa Kamal, Anees Qaimkhani, Khawaja Izhar, Waseem Akhtar and others.]]>
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			<title>MQM-P threatens coalition divorce over LG gripes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393709/mqm-p-threatens-coalition-divorce-over-lg-gripes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393709/mqm-p-threatens-coalition-divorce-over-lg-gripes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jan 23 14:32:52 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[​ Our Correspondents]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2393709</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PML-N contacts party after warning; to meet its team today to address its woes on Karachi polls]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The MQM-P on Sunday warned that it would leave the ruling coalition if the second phase of the local government elections in Karachi were held without changing the present constituencies.

Addressing a news conference at the MQM-P&#39;s headquarters in Karachi&lsquo;s Bahadurabad neighbourhood, the party&rsquo;s convener, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, accompanied by members of its Rabita (coordination) Committee, said media reports indicated that LG polls in the urban areas of Sindh, including Karachi and Hyderabad divisions, would be held on January 15.

He added that the party was ready for the LG polls even if they were held on January 10 as long as the party&rsquo;s demand for drawing out fresh constituencies in the city was met.

Siddiqui further told the media that even though the MQM-P was not a formal ally of the PPP, his party had thoroughly discussed and agreed on several matters about Sindh with it in the province, especially the constituencies in its urban areas.

Also read: Next mayor of Karachi will be a jiyala, says Bilawal

&nbsp;&ldquo;However, the delimitation of constituencies carried out in the province were against the law and Constitution,&rdquo; he lamented.

&ldquo;In some areas, there are 30,000 union councils whereas in others, there are 90,000 [where the MQM-P was dominant]. This fact has been admitted by the leadership of various parties including the PPP itself. The pre-poll rigging has already taken place,&rdquo; he added.

The MQM-P convener maintained that during the last eight months, his party had taken up the issue of the constituencies in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions dozens of times.

He said the party had even approached the Supreme Court on the matter and the Chief justice of Pakistan had heard its reservations.

He stressed the need for fair and transparent LG polls in Karachi and other urban areas of the province.

The MQM leader requested the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to carry out fresh delimitation of constituencies in these areas before the LG polls.

He further said that if the constituencies were not corrected, then the party would take to the streets.

The MQM-P leader said he would convene a meeting of the party&rsquo;s general activists and place the fact before them.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s up to the party activists to decide whether they want to contest these polls while remaining in the [coalition] government or not,&rdquo; he added.

He maintained that all the agreements made with the MQM-P, signed by the leadership of all coalition parties, were not kept and it was increasingly becoming hard for it to advise its activists to remain patient.

He questioned how could the LG elections be held in a peaceful manner with the lack of neutrality.

Siddiqui also asked the ECP why it had handed over the responsibility of conducting the delimitation of constituencies to the PPP-led Sindh government despite the fact that it was an &quot;unconstitutional&quot; move.

He said the party would take its case to the ECP and superior judiciary in Islamabad.

The MQM-P convener also demanded that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should take notice of the matter as to why the LG polls in Sindh were constantly being delayed.

He gave the premier a deadline of 24 hours to address his party&rsquo;s grievances.

&ldquo;If the prime minister is listening to this news conference, I want to ask him what happened to those agreements you signed with us?&rdquo; he asked.

Siddiqui also inquired from the PPP leadership of its assurances made to his party.

&ldquo;If the constituencies are not corrected before the LG polls on December 15, the residents of Karachi would not accept their results,&rdquo; he concluded.

The MQM-P&rsquo;s coordination committee has convened a meeting of the party&rsquo;s office-bearers and activists on Tuesday (tomorrow), wherein it would be decided to stay a part of the ruling alliance or part ways with it.

Following Siddiqui&#39;s warning, PML-N leader and federal minister Ayaz Sadiq contacted Information Technology Minister Aminul Haque of the MQM-P on the phone and assured him that the reservations of the latter&rsquo;s party would be addressed.

Sources said an MQM-P delegation, headed by Haque, would meet Sadiq on Monday (today) and there would certainly be progress on the written agreement the party had inked with the government.

Speaking to the media in Lahore after attending the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori said the PPP should keep its agreement that it had signed with his party.

&ldquo;Otherwise, the MQM-P is free to make its own decision,&rdquo; he added, referring to the party&rsquo;s warning that it would part ways with the ruling alliance.

The governor said he had conveyed his party&rsquo;s concerns to the prime minister.

He added that he would also take up the matter with the PPP leadership.

Tessori further said that he had prayed for a chance to rejoin the MQM-P and he was granted the status of the governor in return.

He claimed that the issue between MQM founder Altaf Hussain was between the former and the State. &ldquo;Being the governor, my loyalties rest with the State,&rdquo; he added.

The governor further said he had come to the shrine of Data Ganj Bakhsh to express his gratitude and he could not describe the satisfaction he had received after attending it.]]>
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			<title>Tessori’s major bid to unify MQM factions</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393320/tessoris-major-bid-to-unify-mqm-factions</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393320/tessoris-major-bid-to-unify-mqm-factions#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 22 18:26:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[naeem.khanzada]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2393320</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PSP and Sattar rejoining party to make it whole again]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The possibility of the MQM&#39;s various factions coming together has increased after the party&#39;s Rabita (coordination) Committee expressed its support for former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal-led Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) and Dr Farooq Sattar&#39;s decision to rejoin the party.

The Sindh Governor&#39;s House is now the focal point of political activities.

Governor Kamran Tessori of the MQM-P is playing a crucial role in this situation.



اجلاس میں ایم کیو ایم پاکستان نے بھرپور عقیدت کے ساتھ شہیدوں کو بھی خراج عقیدت پیش کیا گیا

اجلاس میں لاپتہ ساتھیوں کی عدم بازیابی پر بھی تشویش کا اظہار کیا گیا اور انکی بازیابی کے لیئے دعا کی گئی @MQMPKOfficial pic.twitter.com/smhOL56Ud2
&mdash; allaboutmqm (@allaboutmqm) December 28, 2022



On behalf of the coordination committee, MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui now officially has the power to make decisions.

Sources said all of members of the party&#39;s coordination committee in Karachi received orders to report to the Governor&#39;s House on Wednesday night.

More than 30 members of the committee, including Siddiqui, Waseem Akhtar, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, and Qadir Khanzada, participated in the huddle in the presence of the governor.

During the 3.5-hour meeting, the sources said all members of the coordination committee were asked for their thoughts on the PSP as well as Sattar rejoining the party.

All committee members present there described it as a wise move and welcomed it.

The members&#39; position was that anyone who wished to join the MQM should be accepted, per the party&#39;s constitution and laws.

After a discussion, the coordination committee unanimously decided to entrust Siddiqui with making the decision to unite the MQM, PSP, and Sattar.

Also read:&nbsp;MQM-P&#39;s Kamran Tessori appointed Sindh governor

According to the sources, a few coordination committee members, including Federal Minister Aminul Haque, Senior Deputy Convener Aamir Khan, and Iqbal Muqaddam, were not present at the meeting, and their opinions were sought over the phone.

The sources added that these members also supported the joint decision.

Tessori is playing a key role in bringing about the merger of the MQM factions.

Before the meeting, he had already contacted Sattar and PSP&rsquo;s Kamal and Anis KaimKhani.

At a full quorum meeting to unify the factions, the MQM formally took all the members of the coordination committee into confidence for the first time &ndash; a development that was being hailed as a significant breakthrough.

A joint news conference will likely be held at the Governor&#39;s House after several issues are settled to bring all the factions together, including the announcements about Sattar, and PSP&rsquo;s Kamal, KaimKhani as well as their colleagues joining the MQM.

The sources indicated that the situation might still need another 10 to 15 days to be resolved.

MQM sources said throughout the meeting at the Governor&rsquo;s House, each member&#39;s opinion was solicited, and those who were not there, were also approached for reaching a consensus.

Expressing confidence in Siddiqui&#39;s leadership, the MQM sources said there could be no questions raised over the reputation of the party&rsquo;s convener.

The PSP too has also scheduled a significant gathering at Pakistan House, to which representatives from all fields had been invited.

According to the sources, the PSP leadership would make a significant decision after consulting with its officials and activists.

The coming days will see the making of these important decisions.]]>
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			<title>Tug of war: PPP, MQM still at odds over delimitation process</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2391734/tug-of-war-ppp-mqm-still-at-odds-over-delimitation-process</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2391734/tug-of-war-ppp-mqm-still-at-odds-over-delimitation-process#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 18 Dec 22 20:09:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Syed Ashraf Ali]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Karachi]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2391734</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Regional planner says manner in which the UCs have been drawn up are against the by-laws of the EC itself]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Local body elections in Sindh have been plagued by numerous delays and now finally the second phase is set to be held in January but the Pakistan People&rsquo;s Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), who are part of the coalition at the centre, are yet to see eye-to-eye regarding the delimitation process.

The MQM has already rejected the delimitations held by the PPP led Sindh government and the Election Commission (EC) in Karachi and has termed the process as unfair. However, it is not just MQM which is not satisfied with the delimitations but other political parties and independent observers have criticised the process as well. In this regard, Researcher and Regional Planner, Dr Syed Nawaz-ul-Huda, alleged that the PPP had engaged in gerrymandering in cahoots with the EC.

&ldquo;Gerrymandering is to manipulate boundaries of electoral constituencies to benefit one party, which is the PPP in this case,&rdquo; opined Dr Huda. Wherever the PPP has influence and a vote-bank, the number of Union Councils (UCs), contrary to the population, are higher as opposed to the areas where the PPP does not enjoy support, as per Dr Huda. &ldquo;For instance, 8 UCs have been formed for Organi Town which has a population of about 700,000. In contrast, Mominabad Town which has a population of roughly 471,000 has been allocated UCs.&rdquo; The regional planner further said that the manner in which the UCs have been drawn up are against the by-laws of the EC itself.

&ldquo;UCs have been formed by crossing the Green Line at different places in District Central and have been formed by crossing Rashid Minhas Road in District East. All these steps indicate that the ruling party wants to benefit itself to the max,&rdquo; remarked Dr Huda, adding that the EC has stood by and let the illegalities happen. Advisor to Sindh&rsquo;s Chief Minister (CM), Waqar Mehdi, when asked about the allegations, denied any wrongdoing on the part of the PPP or the EC.

&ldquo;The EC is an independent institution which has carried out the delimitations at its own discretion. The PPP or Sindh government have not put any sort of pressure on them. We only fixed the population standard for the UCs, which is about 60,000 to 75,000 people, because this is the legal right of the provincial government,&rdquo; explained Mehdi. He further said that those who were opposed to the delimitations had approached the courts already and had been told that the local body elections should be held as per the current delimitations.

However, sources within the MQM and PPP told the Express Tribune that the top leadership of both the parties are currently discussing the re-delimitation of local body constituencies on a fair basis. They further disclosed that if both parties reach a conclusion and the EC is in agreement with the formation of constituencies then the local bodies elections to be held on January 15 would be delayed by a further 2 to 3 months. Mehdi, the CM&rsquo;s Advisor, was asked about these developments.

&ldquo;The local body elections will be held on time. I do not have any knowledge of whether there have been any discussions regarding delimitation,&rdquo; he replied. Therefore, the Express Tribune contacted provincial ministers Saeed Ghani and Nasir Hussain Shah as well as MQM leader Waseem Akhtar to get an update on the local bodies election but did not hear back from them. The Express Tribune also contacted the Spokesperson for the EC but did not hear back from him either.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2022.]]>
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			<title>MQM-P says fighting for empowered mayor</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2387081/mqm-p-says-fighting-for-empowered-mayor</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2387081/mqm-p-says-fighting-for-empowered-mayor#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 22 21:13:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[naeem.khanzada]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Karachi]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2387081</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Waseem Akhter talks to members of party’s coordination committee at central office in Bahadurabad]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Former mayor of Karachi and the deputy convener of MQM Pakistan, Waseem Akhter has said, &ldquo;We are struggling for the powers of the local body representatives.&rdquo; 

He was talking to the members of party&rsquo;s coordination committee at the central office in Bahadurabd on Friday. 

He said, the decision given by the Sindh High Court (SHC) seems against the empowered local government system. He said that there are flaws and gerrymandering in the voters&rsquo; lists and delimitation of constituencies because of which we went to the election commission and the Sindh High Court.&rdquo; 

PTI, JI welcome verdict 

Khurram Sher Zaman, Parliamentary Leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in the Sindh Assembly, has claimed that the PPP and the MQM-P do not want local government (LG) elections in the province because the two parties are scared of a &ldquo;historic defeat.&rdquo;

Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Naeem-ur-Rehman dubbed the verdict historic while he was addressing a press conference held at Idara Noore Haq, the JI Karachi headquarters, here on Friday. 

&nbsp;

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2022.]]>
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			<title>SHC reserves decision on petitions regarding LG polls</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2386358/shc-reserves-decision-on-petitions-regarding-lg-polls</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2386358/shc-reserves-decision-on-petitions-regarding-lg-polls#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 22 20:03:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2386358</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Hears arguments of PTI, JI and MQM lawyers; asks EC to conduct elections in phases]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Sindh High Court (SHC) has reserved its decision on the petitions related to the delay in local body elections in Karachi and Hyderabad.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Sindh High Court Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh heard the petitions of Jamaat-e-Islami and PTI regarding the holding of municipal elections in Karachi and Hyderabad.

Jamaat-e-Islami&#39;s Karachi Ameer, Hafiz Naeem-ur- Rehman and Saifuddin Advocate, MQM&#39;s Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan and Waseem Akhtar, PTI&#39;s Haleem Adil Sheikh and other leaders appeared before the court.

Read more:&nbsp;ECP set to hold LG election

Sindh chief secretary, election commissioner Ejaz Chauhan, advocate general, IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon also appeared in the court.

On behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami, Usman Farooq Advocate from MQM, Tariq Mansoor Advocate and other lawyers also appeared in the court.

The court called the chief secretary and IG Sindh to the rostrum. The IG said, &quot;We are coordinating.&quot;

The chief justice remarked that you have to conduct the elections not the coordination.]]>
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			<title>MQM to get Karachi administrator post soon: Khawaja Izhar</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2385406/mqm-to-get-karachi-administrator-post-soon-khawaja-izhar</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2385406/mqm-to-get-karachi-administrator-post-soon-khawaja-izhar#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 22 20:37:49 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2385406</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[In the meeting, the two sides agreed to further improve working relationship]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Delegations of the PPP and the MQM had an important meeting at the Sindh CM House on Tuesday for ironing out outstanding issues between the two partners of the federal governing coalition. 

The two sides mutually worked out a number of contentious issues, which, according to their leaders, would now be formally approved by the MQM Rabita Committee and the PPP top leadership.

The MQM delegation was led by party&#39;s convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, while Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah led the PPP side. Other attendees from the MQM included Sindh Governor Kamran Tesuri, Federal Minister Faisal Sabzwari, Khawaja Izharul Hasan, former Federal Law Minister Farogh Naseem and former Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar.

CM Shah was assisted by provincial cabinet members Saeed Ghani, Sharjeel Memon, Waqar Mehdi, and Murtaza Wahab.

In the meeting, the two sides agreed to further improve working relationship. 

Development projects of Karachi and rehabilitation of infrastructure affected by the recent heavy rains also came up for discussion. 

The two sides agreed to solve the city&#39;s problems on a priority basis while a detailed discussion was held on ensuring implementation of a political agreement between the MQM and the PPP. After the meeting, Information Minister Sharjeel Memon, along with Khawaja Izharul Hasan, jointly addressed the media. They said that the coalition parties stood with the state institutions. There is an agreement between the MQM and the PPP on many points on the Local Government Act, they added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2022.]]>
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			<title>IT minister warns Ishaq Dar against stopping funds</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2385150/it-minister-warns-ishaq-dar-against-stopping-funds</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2385150/it-minister-warns-ishaq-dar-against-stopping-funds#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 22 18:31:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Ayesha Khan Ansari]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2385150</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Aminul Haq Says federal finance minister creating hurdles in relief to IT sector]]>
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				<![CDATA[Federal Minister for Information Technology (IT) Syed Aminul Haq on Monday criticised Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for creating hurdles in release of funds and providing relief to the IT sector.

&ldquo;If I do not remain a minister, you (Dar) too will not remain on the seat either,&rdquo; Haq said at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Karachi IT Park project near Karachi Airport on Monday.

Relief must be given to the Information Technology and Telecom sector according to instructions of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Haq said.

Haq said that Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has always prioritised IT sector. &ldquo;We shared our suggestions with the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar what will be our steps till 2050 but there is no response from Dar for the last three months.&rdquo;

Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif also wants to improve connectivity, Haq said adding, &ldquo;how things will improve if I fail to provide facilities to the people of IT industry.&rdquo;

Read more:&nbsp;IT park planned near Karachi airport

He said that the Rs42 billion IT Park project will generate job opportunities for more than 20,000 skilled workers of information technology. The largest IT project of its kind in Pakistan would benefit not only the citizens of Karachi, but also the IT professionals and companies of the entire country, he said, and called for gearing up the development work so that the project could be completed in the shortest possible time..

The Karachi IT Park is part of series of IT parks being developed across the country.

He reminded that the project was approved by ECNEC at estimated cost of Rs41.39 billion or $186.658 million which included a loan amounting to $158.416 million by Korean Exim Bank and PSDP local share of Rs6.25 billion.

The project would be completed in June 2026. Haq said that dream of Karachi IT Park had to go through a long process and now it has come true by overcoming all the difficulties and with hard work of all the concerned quarters.

Core objective of the park was to provide a place equipped with IT and telecommunication basic infrastructure requirements, clean facilities and ample working space to enable innovative businesses develop and prosper, the minister said.

The Karachi IT Park would support the creation and development of knowledge-based enterprises besides offering a range of services, would boost knowledge based economy, entrepreneurship and latest Technologies as well, he said adding that park&#39;s 11-storey building would provide office space to nearly 225 startups and Small to Medium Enterprises and other ancillary facilities like testing laboratories, classrooms, industry academia linkage centre, and auditorium etc.

The minister further said that the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication has achieved many milestones launched 70 USF projects of OFC and broadband in four provinces at a cost of Rs65 billion.

He informed that in province of Sindh, 20 projects of NGBSD and OFC worth Rs16.30 billion had been started so far in 20 districts, including Tharparkar, Nawabshah, Khairpur, Larkana, Badin, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Mirpurkhas and Dadu.Syed Amin-Ul-Haque said that for the first time in Pakistan, smart phone manufacturing licenses were issued, under which 29 companies were now manufacturing smart phones and digital devices in Pakistan. He said that National Incubation Centres (NIC) were established in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta and recently in Hyderabad as well while the seventh NIC would be set up in Faisalabad.

&ldquo;As a result of our initiatives, the volume of IT exports has reached $USD 2.62 billion with an increase of 47% while the amount of investment for Pakistani startups has reached $ 818 millions,&rdquo; he said adding that steps have been taken to provide IT training facilities of international standard to the fresh IT graduates and the Centre of Excellence project for youth training in University of Karachi was under consideration.

Former Federal Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, speaking at the occasion said that a much bigger IT park was required in metropolis but the initiative was a welcome step and it would ensure better facilities for the sector. He said that work at home was the future work strategy that would remain constant as it has become a practical and feasible approach around the world.

Special Assistant to Chief Minister for IT Tanzeela Umm-Habiba, Consul General of South Korea to Pakistan Kim Haksung and Chief Secretary Sindh Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput, also addressed the ceremony.Earlier caretaker MD Pakistan Software Export Board Syed Junaid Imam delivered welcome speech and highlighted the salient features of the IT park project. The ceremony was also attended by lawmakers, Federal and Provincial Secretary IT, academia, representatives of EXIM Bank Korea, officials of Pakistan Software House Association, prominent business personalities and professionals.]]>
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			<title>MQM leaders acquitted in ‘facilitation of provocative speech’ cases</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2384313/mqm-leaders-acquitted-in-facilitation-of-provocative-speech-cases</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2384313/mqm-leaders-acquitted-in-facilitation-of-provocative-speech-cases#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 Nov 22 16:56:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2384313</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[ATC accepts acquittal plea of Dr Farooq Sattar, Waseem Akhtar, Khawaja Izhar, Aamir Khan, Rauf Siddiqui, others]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has acquitted MQM leaders in three cases involving alleged facilitation of a provocative speech by the London-based founder of their party.

Special ATC No. 1 on Wednesday accepted the acquittal pleas filed by the MQM leaders, including Dr. Farooq Sattar, Waseem Akhtar, Khawaja Izharul Hasan, Aamir Khan, Rauf Siddiqui, and Qamar Mansoor and exonerated them of the charges.

According to police, the cases were registered against the accused in Malir City, Sachal and Brigade police stations on charges of facilitating the MQM founder&rsquo;s provocative speech.

In a video statement, MQM leader Rauf Siddiqui said that he is thankful to God for the acquittal. As many as 23 FIRs were registered against the MQM leadership in different police stations of the city in one night, he said. They were tried for six years in cases that involved charges of &ldquo;clapping&rdquo; to the MQM founder&rsquo;s speech.

Also read: Hard to dupe politically aware people of Karachi: MQM-P

Siddiqui stressed that court cases should not be registered &ldquo;on demand&rdquo;. &ldquo;The entire MQM leadership was named in the cases. &ldquo;The MQM leaders were put on trial and sent to jail in the baseless cases,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;But thank God, today we have been acquitted.&rdquo;

Separately, the Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought replies from the Sindh police chief, Anti-Corruption Department, NAB, and others in response to a petition related to an ongoing inquiry against MQM leader Babar Ghouri.

While hearing Ghauri&rsquo;s petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice KK Agha, expressed displeasure over the &ldquo;incomplete response&rdquo; submitted by the police and other agencies. The IG Sindh will be summoned if a comprehensive response from the police stations of the entire Sindh is not submitted, the court remarked.

The bench remarked: &ldquo;There is one IG office in the entire province, then why answers are being submitted from separate police stations? Tell this to IG Sindh.&rdquo;

To this, the Special Public Prosecutor, Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Prosecutor General Sindh sought time from the court for submitting a reply. The court ordered the IG Sindh, the provincial Anti-Corruption Department, NAB, and others to submit their replies on December 15.

The petitioner&#39;s lawyer argues that details of any ongoing secret investigation against his client should be sought. Babar Ghouri has obtained a protective bail from the SHC in a NAB reference and a money laundering case. He was arrested on July 7, 2022 at Karachi airport upon his return from abroad.]]>
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			<title>‘PTI’s schemes still receiving funds’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2381491/ptis-schemes-still-receiving-funds</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2381491/ptis-schemes-still-receiving-funds#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 22 04:15:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Waqas Ahmed]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2381491</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[House passes motion to restore name of Benazir International Airport in Islamabad]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Ten Billion Tree Tsunami (TBTT) and the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme (NPHS), the two flagship project of the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, still continued as the present government was releasing funds for them, the National Assembly was informed on Thursday.

The session, with Deputy Speaker Zahid Durrani in the chair, passed a motion to restore the name of Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad, despite its opposition from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) &ndash; an ally of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led government.

The leaderships of the current government parties had been criticising the TBTT and the NPHS, when they were in the opposition. However, the house was informed that the both these schemes continued to receive allocated funds even after the removal of the PTI government in April this year.

The house was informed that Rs22.24 billion was spent under the TBTT in the last three years. After the present government took over, the scheme continued and between April 2022 and July 2022, 261.3 million saplings had been planted across the country.

Similarly, under the NPHS, banks had so far distributed Rs99.8 billion for the construction of 28,277 houses, while Rs9.6 million was paid by the government as subsidy. Besides, the government also paid Rs7 billion to the Ukhuwat Foundation for the construction of houses.

Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman said that the Billion-Tree Tsunami scheme in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was a provincial subject. She stressed that the Centre had no access to the corruption in the scheme but the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had taken notice of it.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the MQM&mdash;two major allies in the coalition government came face to face on restoring the old name of the airport in Islamabad. Nawabzada Iftikhar Khan moved a motion to restore the old name of Benazir Bhutto International Airport that was passed by a majority.

However, Kishwar Zehra of the MQM opposed the motion, saying that name change should not be made in a hurry. She reminded that her resolution about this was also pending. She demand that the Islamabad Airport should be named after the founding prime minsiter of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan.

Floods

Ghous Bakhsh Mahar of the opposition Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) raised the issue of floods in Sindh and Balochistan. He told the house that some members praised PTI chief Imran Khan others praised PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif but no-one cared about the people, who were drowning in floods.

Mahar stressed the need for providing seeds and fertilisers to the flood-affected farmers. In reply, Food Security Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema said that measures had been taken to rehabilitate the flood-affected areas.

The minister told the lawmaker that Rs5 billion had been released to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which had started procurement of fertilisers. He assured that fertilisers, sprays and seeds would be provided to the flood-affected farmers.

Nuzhat Pathan said that nothing was left in Sindh after the floods, while the people were dying because of dengue outbreak. She added that the entire canal system has been destroyed in the province. She said what happened in Swat floods, would recur if buildings were constructed in riverbeds.

Khan Muhammad Jamali criticised the &ldquo;incompetence&rdquo; of the Balochistan Irrigation Department. He stressed the need for completing the Kachhi Canal. Another lawmaker Jamaluddin demanded purchase of two or three helicopters by each province so that those could be used in floods situations.

Qadir Mandokhel condemned the lack of participation of the lawmakers in the debate on the floods. He said that only five to seven members were present in the house. &ldquo;There is a debate on the flood but there are no members in the House. I condemn the absence of members.&rdquo;

Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh called for discussing the economic policies along with floods. He said that making economic polices was the job of parliament and not of bureaucrats. &ldquo;Who is responsible for the burden on the common man?&rdquo; he asked.

Maulana Akbar Chitrali drew attention of the house towards receiving TV fee in the electricity bills of a mosque in his native area. He said that the mosque of his neighbourhood got the electricity bill of Rs70,000 that included TV licence fee. Who watched TV in the mosque, he asked.

Parliamentary Secretary Rana Iradat Sharif replied that the TV fee charge meant that the mosque had the electricity connection in domestic category. He advised the lawmaker that mosque management should change the connection category.

Saira Bano criticised the appointment of Kamran Tessori as the new Sindh governor. She said that she was asked not to speak on the matter in the house but added that she would raise the matter anyway. Bano claimed that the Sindh governor was not supported by any of the 14 coalition parties.

However, Sabir Qaimkhani of the MQM replied that his party recommend the name of Tessori as the Sindh governor after consultation. Later, the National Assembly session was adjourned until 11 am Friday (today).]]>
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			<title>MQM-P's Kamran Tessori appointed Sindh governor</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2380807/mqm-ps-kamran-tessori-appointed-sindh-governor</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2380807/mqm-ps-kamran-tessori-appointed-sindh-governor#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 09 Oct 22 06:47:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2380807</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[President Arif Alvi approves appointment after a delay of nearly seven months]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In a major development, President Dr Arif Alvi on Sunday appointed Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Kamran Tessori as Sindh governor after a delay of nearly seven months.

In a press release, a spokesperson of the President House said that the appointment was made under Article 101.

Kamran Tessori, a gold trader who had parted ways with the MQM-P in 2017, rejoined the party a while back as deputy convenor and has now been named the governor of Sindh.

&quot;MQM-P led by Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui had recommended his name despite the severe differences in the party over his nomination,&quot; a senior leader of the party, requesting not to be named, told the Express Tribune and said that many MQM-P leaders had also protested when Tessori was given the re-entry in the party.

Read Sindh governor&rsquo;s post a new bone of contention

The post had been lying vacant since Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Ismail had tendered his resignation in April following the removal of PTI chief Imran Khan as premier through a no-confidence vote in the parliament.

In the meanwhile, Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani had been performing as the acting governor of the province, while a decision to name a new governor, had been hanging in the air.

It is pertinent to note that the incumbent federal government&rsquo;s coalition partner, MQM-P, who were given the opportunity to name someone from their ranks for the slot, had initially nominated Nasreen Jalil.

However, after Jalil&rsquo;s name was recommended, the PTI, in particular, started online vitriol of her, pointing out that she had written a letter, a copy of which is available with the Express Tribune, to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, back in 2015, and asked of them to take note of the &ldquo;lawlessness of the law enforcement agencies&rdquo; and to use their office &ldquo;in improving the situation for urban Sindh.&rdquo;

MQM-P&rsquo;s Rabita Committee member, Zahid Mansoori, when asked if the letter was the reason that Jalil&rsquo;s name had been rejected, had replied in the negative stating that the current delay in nominating a name for governor was the party&rsquo;s own doing.]]>
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			<title>Ten robbers sack house of ex-MQM leader</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2377501/ten-robbers-sack-house-of-ex-mqm-leader</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2377501/ten-robbers-sack-house-of-ex-mqm-leader#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 22 20:27:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2377501</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Orangi Town locals demand new SHO to control crime]]>
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				<![CDATA[The house of a former leader Muttahida Qaumi Movement was robbed in Orangi Town creating an uproar in local residents against the failure of the police to control crime.

At least 10 suspects riding a mini-pickup and motorcycles came rolling in front of Waseem Commando&#39;s house at dawn on Sunday.

The alleged robbers tied up Waseem and his two brothers, Nasir and Aamir, and their families with ropes and robbed the house at ease.

Holding the family hostage at gunpoint, the robbers took away Rs5 million in cash, gold jewellery, nine iPhones, Wasim Commando&#39;s daughter&#39;s laptop, and other valuables. As per Waseem, the robbers stayed for over 2.5 hours and escapes easily.

SHO Orangi Town Chaudhry Liaquat Hussain, who was only recently appointed, reached the location with the police force after receiving information about the incident. 

He examined the victim&#39;s house, took the statements, and left after the inspection. 

Locals have demanded that the Additional IG Karachi and the DIG West appoint a police officer as the SHO in Orangi Town who will take decisive action to eliminate the criminal elements.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2022.]]>
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