Speaking at a news conference on Sunday, MQM Deputy Convener Farooq Sattar said that party workers would respond to the PTI chief’s allegations by peaceful protests. “We will take up democratic and legal means against Imran Khan. We will not reply to hatred with hatred,” he added.
Dr Sattar said thousands of MQM workers had been hurt by Imran’s allegations against Altaf Hussain.
He also said that the MQM rejected re-polling in NA-250 and maintained the low turnout has proved that the process was a farce. “We were against these elections as people of 140 polling stations were deprived of their right to vote. These elections were biased and partial.”
Separately, MQM leaders and supporters staged a demonstration outside the Hyderabad Press Club.
They burnt an effigy of the PTI chairman to condemn his statement holding MQM chief Altaf Hussain responsible for the death of Zahra Shahid. “We want to send a message that the people of Hyderabad love Altaf Hussain and they will not tolerate any mudslinging against their leader,” said MQM Hyderabad zone in-charge Muhammad Sharif.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 20th, 2013.
COMMENTS (27)
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@JB: Kindly name afew threatend and what happened of or to them since ???
The beatings will continue until the morale improves.
@Average Joe Bodybuilder: only a specific ethnic community due to there fake persecution complex
Why not Altaf Hussain files a defamation case against Imraan Khan in the Pakistani court ? That will be a strong and sensible step and the onus to prove his allegation will be on Imran Khan or tender apology. But for this Altaf Hussain has to fly several times to Pakistan .
We want to send a message that the people of Hyderabad love Altaf Hussain and they will not tolerate any mudslinging against their leader,
EVEN IF THE ALLEGATIONS ARE TRUE: the people of Hyderabad love Altaf Hussain and they will not tolerate any mudslinging against their leader,
EVEN IF THE ALLEGATIONS ARE TRUE: the people of Hyderabad love Altaf Hussain
@Gladiator Yes! You want a leader who is too scared to come to Pakistan and who openly threatens other people on live broadcasts! Bravo!
So the international protests mean businesses will remain closed in London, Newyork, Beijing etc?
Joke of the year Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has announced a series of peaceful protests :D :D :D ROFL
Dear MQM, You seriously need to work on your party's image now! (next 5 years) Karachi wants a party that stands by its words! which do not support other corrupt parties. Use your power to expose the corrupt, law breakers. work on making karachi a better city! better roads (like lahore, islamabad), better police system, no strikes (even if any leader from any party, even MQM is killed), better transport system & most importantly no bhatta khori!! plus fight against other parties who do that!! I am sure you now have an idea after this election that there is another party that people are turning to. I voted for PTI as well But I am 500% sure that if MQM works/wants to make karachi a better city (sincerely) then they can do it better then anyone else in this country... Thanks Ali
So, Does it mean, we have some holidays in coming future ? :D
@Assad: Good attempt at defending your part. Deluded, but good.
MQM Karachi loves you go against the this sugar coated Taliban (PTI) we do not want hypocrate leader and his party in Karachi
Lets C the political history how to easily Appeal to the masses sympathy and make your political rivals look like the bad guys !! It seems PTI has matured alot politically !! two birds in a single stone no wonder they won the elections the very next day !!
MQM! This is not something where you bring out your innocent blind followers. Go to courts and file a case against Imran's words. Don't cry on roads please! You have already destroyed this city enough. No more strikes and so called peaceful protests where you shut down the whole city (by force) and we even can't get a thing to eat.
MQM leader manhandled by their workers over Altaf's provocation and then they ask why everyone blaming Altaf Hussain for PTI leader's murder
Now there will be series of protest from 'NaMaloom Afrad'
Absolutely one-sided comments all over. MQM ran the city fine under Musharraf as they had no tussle between the center and the city. There is high handedness in Karachi in areas that belong to other parties too but seldom are they called out. While I am not blind to the acts of violence undertaken by some of the MQM's cadres, they are not alone in this. The other point is that Karachi's domination by the MQM has never gone down too well with some of the other parties. The PPP, ANP, PML have all had issues because they cannot take the mandate away from the MQM. It would also be instructive to note that this mandate in Karachi is not something that can be had at the gun point. If the voter does not want to vote for the MQM, they can sit in their house and not bother. Yet MQM wins on the basis of people power.
If people deny this, then I am not too surprised because we denied the Bangalis the very same in 1970 and if the same tactics are applied against the MQM, a ton of instability awaits Karachi and Pakistan.
I hope and pray that we move on from the politics of violence and ethnic divisions. May Allah grant Zahra Hussain a place in the eternal abode and may her murderers be brought to justice. Lastly, may there be peace and harmony in Karachi for all of its inhabitants. ameen
Protest on gun point...Every unnatural power eventually perishes, MQM is no exception
@Latif: no organization can function like that for over 3 decades.
This is such a hollow comment. Does this suggest that powerful army such as ours, independent judiciary and hawkish media can let something like this go for 3 decades
Talk show anchors are extremely critical of MQM, did any of them have to face 'undesirable consequences'.
The party is maligned on such a massive scale because it challenges the status quo.
Our country still needs more time to mature, before people can vote out of free will and not out of fear of waderas, jagirdars and industrialists
Now PTI will see the protest with full spirit against the haters of MQM. We love MQM
Its time to call a spade a spade. MQM needs to put its house in order. There are far too many "party" members acting as if they are above the law starting from the top. This outcry by the MQM is just diverting from the real issue. They have been shown up for what they actually are. Better to change its ways than becoming the qaumi mazak party.
Will these protests be mandatory or will those who choose not to participate face "undesirable" consequences?
Bring out the Na Maloom waving their swords and cutting people down. MQM on the offensive will ripp Karachi's heart to prove a point. They have no sympathy for the city or its inhabitants. Look at how they have mismanaged Karachi's law and order over 11 long years?? Does one need more???
Drama from MQM goons will not work. They have shown their true colours to the entire nation.
Who are you & from where have you come,what else are you capable of doing?
Victim card won't always work. Shame on you MQM