Imran’s allegations: MQM announces series of protests

MQM workers had been hurt by Imran's allegations against Altaf Hussain, says Sattar.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has announced a series of peaceful protests across the country and abroad against PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s statement holding Altaf Hussain ‘directly responsible’ for Saturday’s murder of senior PTI leader Zahra Shahid Hussain.

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 20^th, 2013.