The Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM-H) is ready to sit down with its archrival, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), if the need arises, announced the party’s vice chairman, Shamshad Ghauri, on Saturday.
Till a few weeks ago and since party chief Afaq Ahmed’s release, the MQM-H has not held back from calling the MQM a “terrorist group”. However, Ghauri declared that his party will work with all the parties in the city, including the MQM, to help implement its de-weaponisation plan.
He said that alliances were being created in Karachi to establish peace in the city and their party had been meeting with other parties, including religious and nationalist parties, and Zulfiqar Mirza, a man who has come out strongly against the MQM.
Ghauri held a news conference to announce the addition of the MQM’s Irfan Khan. He spoke candidly. “I joined the MQM because of pressure,” he said. “I could suffer but I couldn’t see my family suffer so I joined them to be able to safely go back to my family.” He alleged that the MQM had made it impossible for him to go back to his home during the government of Pervez Musharraf.
Khan said that the reason he joined the MQM-H was because he had realised what Afaq Ahmed said about Altaf Hussain in 1991 was true. “When we joined the MQM, we were made to join study circles and were lectured by party workers.” These lectures “brainwashed” the workers against people from other ethno-linguistic backgrounds. “Altaf Hussain is trying to create ethnic divides,” he maintained.
He said that he had joined the MQM-H with other associates but he did not specify how many.
Even after agreeing to talk to the MQM, Ghauri still hurled many accusations against the rival party. He claimed that his party members had rocks thrown at them and were chased on motorcycles on their way to press conferences. His party had visual evidence from different areas declared “no-go areas” that would be submitted in court.
The party’s chief, Afaq Ahmed, will appear in the Supreme Court on January 24 in a contempt petition about the existence of “no-go areas” despite the government telling the Supreme Court that they were done away with.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2012.
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if they are a political party why do have the need for weapons?? havings weapons suggests that its a criminal organisation..
I am a Muhajir (and a rather proud one) but I hate the MQM (both factions).
I am not in politics but i am writing as a citizen of Karachi. I think everyone in this country has the right to speak and do his politics. But there are few people who think they own karachi and dont allow anyone to talk about this city. i think we have enough of one party regime on the most important city of this country who didnt improve the law and order situation of the city (intentionally or unintentionally) despite being into the government for 10 years and thats the reason foreign investment dosent come to Pakistan. As far as this man (Afaq) is concern, atleast he showed some courage to remain in the country and faced the courts unlike others. And after coming out from jail he is talking about peace and friendship not revenge and grievous.
Not sure why ET is giving un-necessary spotlight to a group of terrorists? some secret agenda may be...People of Karachi hate Afaq and his party.