MQM must distance itself from militants: Rashid

Information minister hails Farooq Sattar for ‘right decision’

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said on Tuesday that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain’s speech had hurt the feelings of millions of Pakistanis and that it would be better for the MQM’s leadership to distance itself from the militant element in the party.

“The announcement made by [MQM leader] Dr Farooq Sattar feels appropriate. It can be stated as a right decision in the right direction though it needs further clarity. But, any party having representation in the parliament should distance from militancy,” he said in a private news channel programme.



The minister said if the MQM ensured to distance itself from the militant element then the political parties in the country and the civil society would help them to play a role for welfare of the masses.

“If the umbrella under which the militant element was functioning is no more there and militancy is shunned, it will be better for the MQM.”

When asked any contact would be made after the press conference of Sattar, he said it would be appropriate to wait for some time.  “It is not clear yet. Maybe the party workers exert pressure on these leaders about their same leader whom they used to defend earlier,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2016.