MQM-P apologises for role in May 12 tragedy

Expressing regret over the loss of at least 50 lives in the May 12 tragedy, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has apologised for his party's misconstrued role during the Karachi riots.

Clashes had erupted between the supporters of deposed Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and MQM activists 15 years ago when the former was scheduled to visit the city and members of civil society including lawyers were not allowed to reach the airport to welcome him.

Addressing a gathering on Thursday organised by the Balochistan High Court Bar Association in Quetta, Siddique said MQM’s image was tarnished in the wake of the May 12 riots.

"MQM should have tendered an apology and I apologise for that. This apology is for making a wrong judgment," he informed the participants of the gathering, adding that MQM would not have held a rally comprising children and women, had it planned to resort to violence.

"We had been used and we regret that but that was not our intention and this is not how we function as a party," he said, admitting that the party had "slightly weakened ideologically.

Siddique maintained that his party would produce new leaders who will be the future of the country.

"We were accused of hatching a conspiracy and holding a Jinnahpur map and we were also called traitors. If this was the reality then why was the MQM not banned?" he further questioned

The MQM-P convener highlighted how he left the side of his former leader Altaf Hussain due to his anti-Pakistan speech in 2016. “I have maintained my distance from Hussain ever since.”

He added that MQM-P had been a victim of marginalisation and violence. “Our party is a product of circumstances. We have also been accused of indulging in linguistic politics.”

Siddique maintained that Pakistan would not progress until all its citizens were treated with equality and considered loyal.

Further on, the MQM-P leader urged Balochistan lawyers to support his party for legislation in parliaments. "We should be a part of national struggle led by lawyers.”

He deplored that his party does not consider the Ministry of Law as its own because they did not want that particular ministry.

“PTI needed a competent lawyer and that’s why it had sought a no-objection certificate from MQM-P to permit their party official, Barrister Farough Naseem to hold the ministry.

Towards the end of his address, the MQM-P leader lamented how his party could trust the opposition when they lacked trust in each other.