MQM-P decries restrictions on party’s campaign

Permission for a rally revoked, free campaigning seems compromised, says Siddiqui

HYDERABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has alleged that an undeclared ban has been imposed on the party’s election campaign. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s zonal office in Hyderabad, Siddiqui claimed that efforts were underway to sabotage their mandate.

“We are not being allowed to freely campaign for votes,” he alleged. “After this undeclared ban, it’s possible that an undeclared operation will also be conducted. But the workers shouldn’t worry.”

The reaction comes after the Hyderabad district administration cancelled permission for MQM-P’s public meeting in Pucca Qila ground scheduled for July 19. A day before the event, the party was asked to pack up the stage, thousands of chairs and other arrangements made for the public meeting.



On Friday night, the candidates of MQM-P from Hyderabad stagged a sit-in outside the district’s bureaucratic headquarters, Shahbaz Building. They shouted slogans, complaining that permission for another public meeting in Liaquat Colony area on July 21 had also not been given.

Siddiqui believed that a political environment was being created to compel the MQM-P to opt for a boycott which would allow the favourable parties and candidates a romp home. But, he asserted, the party will stand firm against such alleged conspiracies.

He said that the party has submitted written complaints to Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Election Commission of Pakistan. “If the voters are allowed to freely elect their legislators, the existence of many artificial parties will come to an end,” he said, referring to Pak Sarzameen Party. He deplored that despite representing the mandate of urban Sindh, they have been made to beg from the chief minister for funds to collect the garbage. The MQM-P leader reiterated the party’s desire to create new provinces in Pakistan, including Sindh. “If new provinces are created in other provinces and not in Sindh, we will resist this development,” he warned.

Responding to a question about forming post-election coalition government, Siddiqui underscored that MQM-P will not ally with a party from whom they have to beg for authority. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22^nd, 2018.