MQM-P marks ‘independence month

Party will be holding a series of events throughout August to mark the 74th independence day of the country

KARACHI:

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui hoisted the national flag at the MQM-P headquarters in Bahadurabad to mark the beginning of the 'independence month' on Sunday.

Speaking to the media, Dr Siddiqui said that the party would be holding a series of events throughout August to mark the 74th independence day of the country.

Given the current situation, it is necessary to celebrate independence not just on the day but as a feeling of freedom, he said. The nation, especially the younger generation, needs to be aware of the broader concept of freedom, said the MQM-P stalwart, adding that freedom is the Almighty's greatest blessing.

Recalling the sacrifices of 1947, he said two million people died while thousands were displaced and left the homes of their ancestors.

The party will organise national dialogues and panel discussions in which people from across the world will participate, he said.

The women's wing of the party will also be holding several seminars, according to Dr Siddiqui. Besides, the party will celebrate August 13 and 14 with prayers as the month of Muharram is also falling in August, he said.

MQM-P deputy convener Kanwar Naveed Jameel, former mayor Wasim Akhtar and other party leaders were present on the occasion.

Earlier, addressing a press conference on Sunday, leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan had also raised objections to the Sindh government’s decision to impose a lockdown.

Condemning the move, the party had accused the Pakistan Peoples Party-led provincial government of shifting the weight of its failures onto the low-income groups of the city.

Stressing that the deadly impact of the pandemic could not be downplayed, MQM-P Senator Faisal Sabzwari said that it was unfortunate that the Sindh government’s only solution to the challenge was to impose a lockdown.

He referred to welfare operations and distribution of ration by his party during the first wave and questioned the PPP government’s relief efforts.

He asked what became of the funds spent in the name of the coronavirus and questioned the measures taken to enhance the health sector in the past 19 months.

Flanked by lawmakers Kishwar Zehra, Javed Hanif and Muhammad Hussain, Sabzwari maintained that the provincial government had failed in ensuring a smooth inoculation process.

The PPP’s corruption and incompetence had marred the dealing of this critical health issue as well, he said