MQM to hold public gathering at Nishtar Park

According to Farooq Sattar, this is a ‘safe’ alternative offered by the authorities

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) - Pakistan has changed the venue of its forthcoming public gathering from Bagh-e-Jinnah to Nishtar Park and its date as well after the authorities offered them a 'safe' alternative place.

Holding a press conference at the party's makeshift headquarters in PIB Colony, party convener Farooq Sattar announced that the intended public gathering will be held at Nishtar Park at 4:30pm on December 30.

He vowed that this will be a historically large gathering and people will recall the party's very first large-scale event of August 8, 1986, held at the same place.

"We have taken up the case of Karachi, which is the engine of progress for the country," he said. He criticised the federal and provincial governments for what he claimed was 'step-motherly' behaviour towards the financial hub of the country. "The people of Karachi have decided to live and die with dignity."

The MQM will continue its 38-year-long struggle for the rights of its voters, supporters and other people in the city and urban parts of Sindh, he said, adding that after the gathering, the party will come up with a plan to expedite its political struggle.

"Karachi was, is and will remain a fort of MQM," he said. "And the gathering will prove this by being the biggest ever in the history of the party. The party doesn't have any resources to cover up the transport expenses for the event but people will come on their own to express their support."

The party has also announced to hold a family gala at Nishtar Park from December 28 with the permission of the authorities.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2016.