PPP jumps to MQM’s aid, bashes Kamal’s tirade
JI, PTI demand judicial commission to probe allegations
Opposition leader Syed Khursheed Shah. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD/SUKKUR:
Former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal’s searing attack on Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has drawn mixed reactions from the country’s political parties.
While the Pakistan Peoples Party has rejected the ex-mayor’s accusations, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have demanded that a judicial commission be formed to look into the allegations.
On Friday a spokesperson for the PPP rejected reports quoting Kamal as saying that PPP leader Rehman Malik had been holding secret meetings with the MQM supremo in London. The PPP statement said Malik had been meeting Altaf whenever necessary and that such meetings were held with the approval of the party leadership.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Khursheed Shah told a public gathering in Kandhra that a failed attempt was made to split not only the MQM but the PPP as well. “If anybody is trying to harm a party, they will not succeed.”
The PPP leader claimed Kamal has the backing of some influential people. “Even then they would not be able to put a dent in the MQM’s popularity.”
On the other hand, JI and PTI demanded the government form a judicial commission to investigate Kamal’s allegations.
“The allegations against the MQM chief are not new, but the government should form a commission to check the credibility of the claims,” JI chief Sirajul Haq told the media outside parliament.“Those who destroyed the peace of the city should be held responsible.”
Meanwhile, the PTI’s Punjab chapter demanded that the government present the facts to the public. The party demanded that a retired judge of the Supreme Court head the judicial commission and investigate the matter from every angle. “It’s time for the facts to be exposed.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2016.
Former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal’s searing attack on Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has drawn mixed reactions from the country’s political parties.
While the Pakistan Peoples Party has rejected the ex-mayor’s accusations, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have demanded that a judicial commission be formed to look into the allegations.
On Friday a spokesperson for the PPP rejected reports quoting Kamal as saying that PPP leader Rehman Malik had been holding secret meetings with the MQM supremo in London. The PPP statement said Malik had been meeting Altaf whenever necessary and that such meetings were held with the approval of the party leadership.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Khursheed Shah told a public gathering in Kandhra that a failed attempt was made to split not only the MQM but the PPP as well. “If anybody is trying to harm a party, they will not succeed.”
The PPP leader claimed Kamal has the backing of some influential people. “Even then they would not be able to put a dent in the MQM’s popularity.”
On the other hand, JI and PTI demanded the government form a judicial commission to investigate Kamal’s allegations.
“The allegations against the MQM chief are not new, but the government should form a commission to check the credibility of the claims,” JI chief Sirajul Haq told the media outside parliament.“Those who destroyed the peace of the city should be held responsible.”
Meanwhile, the PTI’s Punjab chapter demanded that the government present the facts to the public. The party demanded that a retired judge of the Supreme Court head the judicial commission and investigate the matter from every angle. “It’s time for the facts to be exposed.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2016.