MQM’s Qaumi Unity Conference : Agencies warn of attacks on rallies

Agencies warn MQM about possible attacks on conference to be held at Jinnah Ground today.

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s efforts of showing that it is quintessentially a national party may be marred by security concerns. Intelligence agencies have warned of possible attacks on the participants at its Qaumi Unity Conference to be held on Sunday (today) at Jinnah Ground, Azizabad.

People from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds living in Karachi — except those belonging to Urdu-speaking families — will participate in the conference where MQM chief Altaf Hussain will address the assembly by telephone. He is expected to express his views on the national issues that have gripped the country.

Scores of people are expected to gather for Qaumi (national) Unity — as its name suggests — from different parts of the metropolis in the form of rallies, processions and reception camps that have been set up across Karachi.

However, security agencies have cautioned of an expected attack on the rallies and processions as well as the reception camps. All town police officers have also been directed to take extraordinary security measures, officials revealed.

A senior police official told The Express Tribune that the police have information of threats ranging from crime to terrorism. “The culprits might target the rallies and reception camps by firing,” said the officer. It is also feared that any untoward incident might provoke ethnic violence and targeted killings in the city, he added.

Security forces have also declared some areas most sensitive, including Bin Qasim, Shah Latif, Sachal, Gadap, Surjani, Orangi town, Keamari, Mauripur, Baldia and Neelum Colony.

Meanwhile, an MQM leader, requesting anonymity, said that keeping in view that this public meeting will be attended by non-Urdu speaking people, it will have its uniqueness and it will amply demonstrate the MQM as a political party that has transcended beyond caste, colour, creed and ethnicity. “It is not for the first time when MQM has [received] threats. We have been facing threats [ever] since MQM chief Altaf Hussain openly spoke on extremism and Talibanisation,” he said. “Any third party would be responsible if target killing or ethnic violence began after this conference.” MQM deputy convenor Dr Farooq Sattar also visited camps that have been set up to welcome rallies arriving from different parts of the city for the convention. He praised the efforts of MQM activists on duty at the camps.

Despite the looming fear, text messages are also being circulated that are also fuelling panic among those who want to participate in the conference.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th,  2011.