MQM sit-in continues at Numaish Chowrangi

The party’s deputy convener and MNA Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that Altaf will come out clear and succeed.

KARACHI: Leaders and activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) continued their sit-in for a second day at Numaish Chowrangi in Karachi to express solidarity with MQM chief Altaf Hussain who underwent medical tests at a local hospital in London while under arrest.

MQM leader Wasay Jalil speaking from London said that Altaf’s medical tests have been conducted and they were waiting for the results to see if he was fit for ‘an interview with the police.’

On Tuesday morning, the Met Police in London arrested Altaf, 60, over suspicion of money-laundering. He was taken to a Central London Police Station and later moved to a hospital after the Scotland Yard said that they wanted him to meet his pre-arranged appointments in the hospital.

Meanwhile in Karachi, protesters, who held their chief’s pictures and banners in his support, said that they would not end the sit-in until Altaf speaks to them.

The party’s deputy convener and MNA Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, who sat with other leaders in the sweltering heat said, “We have witnessed difficult times in the past too. But Altaf Hussain will come out clear and succeed.”

Siddiqui said that while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders had visited them, leaders from other parties such as the Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) had expressed solidarity with them over the phone.

Parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, Rasheed Godil said Altaf’s health was their major concern. “We want the federal government to engage the British and ensure that a Pakistani is provided all his legal rights.”Godil said that it was not their activists who were involved in creating chaos in the city.

On Wednesday, PPP leader and provincial minister for education Nisar Khuhro also came to meet the MQM leaders at Numaish, and said that he felt good to be with his democratic partners at this time.  “Altaf Hussain should be given all the services which are his basic and legal right, and justice [should] be provided to him,” he demanded.

Another politician, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) Jam Madad Ali said that they were with the party in these difficult times. “May Altaf be cleared soon of all the false accusations. He is amongst us, and from us, and together we have to work for the country.”

People from other walks of life such as traders, industrialists and journalists also came to lend their support. Sindh Tajir Ittehad Chairman Jameel Paracha said that traders had voluntarily shut down markets and decided to keep them closed in Karachi till any positive news arrived from London. President of the Karachi Press Club, Imtiaz Faran, said that they were glad see that workers were with their leader.