Afaq to join MQM-P protest on January 9
In a press conference at his office-cum-residence in Defence Housing Authority, MQM-Haqiqi chief Afaq Ahmed said he was ready to support all the efforts to centralise the vote bank of MQM-Haqiqi, MQM-Pakistan and PSP since these parties represented the urban populace of Sindh. PHOTO: FILE
Mohajir Qaumi Movement has accepted Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) invitation to participate in the January 9 protest against electoral rolls based on the allegedly prejudiced delimitation of constituencies, census data and voter lists.
A delegation led by MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui reached the residence of the Chairman of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement Afaq Ahmed in Karachi.
Talking to the media after the meeting, Siddiqui said, "It is not the time to remain confined to the interests of political parties as we are confronted with the problem of our community and the city, for which there is a need to raise a voice collectively".
Siddiqui said that for Urdu speaking population UCs have been demarcated for population for 90,000 people, while in other areas, a UC is approved for population of 25,0000.
MQM leader Afaq Ahmed said that his party will participate in the protest to be staged on January 9. "I do not promise to participate in a personal capacity, but the workers of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement will participate", he said. MQM-P has brought families of Mohajir martyrs, "we respect them."
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2023.