MQM holds city-wide protests, demands ban against Altaf to be lifted

Party activists say they miss hearing their leader’s voice

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) held demonstrations across the city on Tuesday against the court-directed media ban on party chief Altaf Hussain.

The demonstrations were held at Hassan Square, Jauhar Morr, Jauhar Chowrangi, Nagan Chowrangi, Five Star Chowrangi, Teen Talwar, Star Gate, and in Liaquatabad, North Nazimabad, New Karachi, Landhi, Malir and other areas. The party claimed it held protests at 400 places across the city.



During the protests, party workers held placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of their leader.

The Lahore High Court in September last year had directed authorities to implement a ban on the printing and broadcast of images and speeches of the MQM chief in the media for his controversial remarks about state institutions, including the Pakistan Army and Sindh Rangers.

Speaking at one of the protests, MQM leader Nasreen Jalil said such a blackout was unprecedented as it never happened anywhere in the world. She asserted that the party categorically rejected the 'minus Altaf' formula and appealed to the authorities and whoever else has a stake in the matter to lift the ban.

During the demonstrations, party workers also taped their mouth while some put their fingers on their lips to convey their protest. "I will not talk until I hear, read my leader in the media," said Akhtar, who was protesting at Numaish. Another protester, Ali, said he was dying to hear the voice of his leader.



MQM recently announced countrywide protests against the ban on the MQM chief's coverage.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2016.