MQM-P sets eyes on reviving ‘89 Markaz’
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has started preparations to reopen its former party office 89 Markaz at Al-Ikram Square in the Liaquatabad area.
MQM-P central leader, who spoke on the on condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the party would set up public secretariat at this place after getting permission from the federal government.
He said that before Nine Zero in Azizabad, the party office at Al-Karam Square was the most important place for MQM.
This office used to be a public secretariat in the past, he said, adding that MQM’s members of parliament used to frequent the site at that time to attend to public issues.
MQM-P has sought permission from the Centre to restore the office. According to MQM-P leader, the federal government has signaled its nod for establishment of the office.
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Following this positive development, MQM Pakistan, after consultation, has decided to open 89 Markaz as a public secretariat where party assembly members will sit to liaise with the people. The leader said that the office would be activated after the formal nod from Islamabad.
Following the initial green signal from the federal government, MQM Pakistan Chief Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and other leaders visited the office at Al-Ikram Square and inspected the site and property of this office. According to MQM-P leader, repair work would begin here once the office was allowed to open fully.
According to sources, 89 Markaz was established in 1987 and was closed in 1992 during the Karachi operation.
Federal government sources said that the final decision on restoration of MQM-P office would be taken in the light of the views of security agencies. Until green signal from the authorities concerned, it would be premature to say anything in this regard, sources said.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2021.