Karachi must remain peaceful, MQM-P told

Federal govt in contact with Farooq Sattar’s party

KARACHI: The highest echelons of the federal government have warned the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) of strict action in case of deterioration in Karachi’s law and order situation as a result of its political activities.

According to sources, the federal government has quietly been in contact with MQM-P leaders, who have been advised to carry out their political activities while remaining within the ambit of law.

The MQM-P leaders also shared their political strategy with the federal government, said the sources, adding that the federal government advised the MQM-P leaders to play it cool.

The sources said that Islamabad would not relent in continuing with the Karachi Operation till lasting peace in the city. No one would be allowed to disturb the law and order situation in the metropolis, they warned.



Allowing political activities to any party was the prerogative of the provincial government or its subordinate administrative apparatus,  said the sources.

They said that Islamabad was closely monitoring changes in MQM-P policies, including its use of the ‘Muhajir Card’ and call for a new province in Sindh.

The federal government, they added, was also curious to know the reasons behind the abrupt shift in MQM-P’s strategy as well as the party leaders’ plan to visit Yadgar-e-Shuhada today (Saturday) after 14 months of inaction.

The government has not yet allowed any party to carry out political activities within a kilometer of Nine-Zero, the former headquarters of MQM-London, which was sealed after August 22 last year. People in the know believe the MQM-P move can directly or indirectly benefit the MQM-London.