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ANP accepts MQM invitation to visit Nine Zero
Both parties discuss extremism and the ongoing sectarian violence in Karachi.
Both parties discuss extremism and the ongoing sectarian violence in Karachi. PHOTO: ZAFAR ASLAM/ EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD: Awami National Party (ANP) leader Haji Adeel on Wednesday accepted the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) invitation to visit the party’s headquarters, Nine Zero, in Karachi.
An MQM delegation, which has been meeting political parties of the country calling for unity, met with ANP leaders in Islamabad on Wednesday.
Head of the MQM delegation Dr Farooq Sattar, speaking to the media after the meeting, said that all political and religious parties of the country should work together to attain peace and to ensure national security and stability.
“All religious and political parties, even the armed forces, should come together at a round-table conference to formulate a strategy for the country’s security and survival… No single party is in a position to handle the situation alone,” said Dr Sattar.
Both parties also discussed the Karachi situation and are trying to defeat those who are conspiring against the city, said Dr Sattar and added that the delegation also discussed extremism and the ongoing sectarianism in the city.
“We have also invited Haji Adeel to nine zero so we can talk and get rid of our differences… We have zero tolerance for violence, for terrorism and for any other crime. The message is clear that the only problem is lawlessness.”
ANP leader Adeel, also present at the press briefing, said that both the parties also discussed the Balochistan situation where the government’s writ seems to be disappearing. “We also talked about Karachi. There are around five million Pakhtuns living in the city. We want peace there, we want action to be taken against all mafias, including land, drug and arms mafia.”
The ANP leader added that no criminal should be spared, whether he “wears a red topi”, or belongs to MQM, PPP, JI or any other party.
“Politics needs peace and peace needs politics,” remarked Adeel.
Correction: In an earlier version of the article, the number “five million” was incorrectly written as “500,000″. The error has been rectified.
Reader Comments (39)
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OMG!!! Am I observing Mature Politics,which is rarely seen in Pakistan?
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Go for Iftar…..
good food
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hope there is reconciliation and peace.
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ANP is one of the only parties that can actually help Pakistan be successful.
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Mature political initiative from MQM is paying off! Very good step taken by MQM which should be appreciated.
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Its All to Stop PTI gaining grounds….
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500000 pakhtuns? U must be kidding! Its more than 50 lakh.
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Good for Karachi; Good for Pakistan!
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A good beginning.We want Peace.
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good step indeed!
They should live in harmony the same way as the time of peace between MQM & ANP when Wali Khan was alive.
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Its a good step forward; specially building of from the rally; altaf hussain held few weeks a go in support of Pakhtuns living in Karachi. – Praises to MQM for taking the intiative and participating maturely.
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a new compromise made by ANP on behalf of thousands of Pustuns killed in karachi
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@One Sol1:
Please re read the article to get a picture on numbers.
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A great move by both the parties. Idealogically both the parties are closest to each other. Nothing should stand between them to get further closer and even try to cooperate with eac one another.
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Good work!! Need to commend both the parties. Only that it shows on ground too.
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whatever is number of Pakthun migrants in Karachi city, the fact of matter is majority of Karachi Pathan supports MQM and Altaf Hussain.
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Keep it up…
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united we stand … for votes & divided we stand … for ministries
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some rare good news to cheer about . . .!!!!
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Why can’t they sit and talk, rather than invitation to 90. What is so big about 90 anyways. With due apologies, no one is serious in peace process. MQM was never interested in talking to ANP, however now they are since there is ANP armed wing giving MQM tough time. Call me saddest but these people have no respect for humanity, Pakistan let alone for those people who voted for them. Recommend
Its appreciated on mutual understanding between ANP and MQM. They should close to each other. 70% urdu speaking are Pakhtoon. I am also Pakhtoon but belong from Urdu speaking family. Go ahead for solidarity of Pakistan. Pakistan Zinda bad Pakistan Painda bad
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Good singed both are progressive forces, they should be very close against terrorism and safe Pakistan.
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This move seems to be officially acknowledge Armed Forces as a Political Party because MQM wants to invite Armed Forces too to the suggested Round Table Conference
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A new way to fool voters. Why it did happen in four and half years?, Clearly both parties agreed to take share in the next government, too.
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Why so late? Many lives could have been saved. No, they were all interested in collecting Bhatta. The country can go to the dogs, has always been the slogan for all the parties in power, PML N including. MQM is losing ground.
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MQM’s leadership seems quite sensible, but it seems like their street-level workers are completely off the hook. Either there is something MQM isn’t telling us or the leadership doesn’t have much control over their members.Recommend
MQM intiated this step back in the days of Wali Khan; they tried to redo in the past years and reattempted few weeks a go with that Rally; and NOW this.
ONE SIDE has clearly been making efforts for years; but somebody isn’t quite interested- I hope that changes for the betterment of Karachi; and Pakistan in Whole.
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Imran Khan’s prediction is now coming true.. All status quo parties are now uniting against PTI. :) GEO PTI.
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another drama…we need a revolution.
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Just imagine if that news will be the Meeting of PMLN and PTI then all people here will be on full bashing mode. PTI and PMLN should learn from these meetings as all parties are getting united for the goodwill of their regions and Imran Khan should stop acting a Spoiled kid in the politics of Punjab and should join hands with PMLN to end the reign of PPPP otherwise in the next five years we will be doomed.
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its a good move by mqm. they should tolerate the pashtuns in karachi. if the pashtuns in karachi get educated then they will surely support mqm.(only if mqm is ready to accept them).i personally love the structure of mqm(common city dwellers and educated leadership,unlike any other party in pk). but their anti-pahktun stand make me to hate them. so mqm please stop bloodshed and be the torch bearer for new pakistan.
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All status quo parties are joining hands. MQM and ANP realizeed when are elections are just around the corner. Can somebody tell me how many people are killed in Karachi in the last 5 years. Say no to MQM, ANP, PPP, N&Q-League. Long Live Imran Khan and PTI.Recommend
First of all MQM dis-associate itself from the government to make itself credible. This is just an election stunt, nothing will be achieved by MQM.
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well good initiative however, mqm has never accepted pakhtoons in Karachi its bcoz ANP who united pakhtoons and mqm change their position now.. this is just another tactic by mqm to gain pakhtoons votes as election is near however, MQM cannot survive without thug and bhata dts forsure. long live pakhtoons and ANP
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The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is apparently getting into the election mode. There are similarities shared between the party systems within Pakistan and those within India. The Awami National Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement are holding parleys with the view as is evident to fight the next general elections to the National Assembly in an alliance. In addition the idea of a National Government that is in the air within Pakistan considering the ongoing Constitutional crisis, all political parties are apparently are trying to work together towards a common political front. The issues of national concern to Pakistan viz. unrest in Balochistan, rising religious fundamentalism and off course terrorism are the major issues of discussion within the country and an apparent effort seems to be in the offing to work out a strategy to resolve these issues that challenge the basic national integrity of Pakistan. India too, in the past has gone through similar situations though of a different magnitude and kind off course equally challenging. The comment of Haji Adeel from the Awami National Party that ‘Politics needs peace and Peace needs politics’ is well said as long as the political machinery within Pakistan is able to work out a strategy to be able to rescue their nation from sailing out of the various political storms and tornadoes that are hitting their country. THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN SINCERELY DESIRE PEACE AND HARMONY ALONG WITH AMITY AND TRUST WITH THEIR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES. This is the message that the political parties of Pakistan must understand and work towards with earnest.
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Why MQM has come forward to call a round table conference now after 4.5 years. These two parties are partners in crime committed by rulers. They are planning to make arrangements for another term to their mentor Mr. Zardari in office. Be aware of them… Recommend
Terrorists having Iftar party together
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Another great step by great political party i.e. MQM…
For all those who thinks MQM is status quo party, I believe they are wrong b/c MQM is the only party who is challenging the current status quo parties which incorporates electable Waderays, Pirs, Influential Landlords and Families rather then talented educated hardworking middle class people.
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@B+:
bro, teeth of elephant are not like that as they seem. no doubt its a good move from mqm, but whats the reality is residing behind it. GOD KNOWSRecommend