Malik requests Altaf to reconsider long march participation

Altaf Hussain advises Rehman Malik to send high-powered PPP delegation to Tahirul Qadri to hear out his reservations.

LONDON: Interior Minister Rehman Malik met with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain in London and requested him to reconsider the party's decision to participate in Dr Tahirul Qadri’s January 14 long march.

According to a press release issued on Wednesday, Altaf advised Malik send a high-powered delegation of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to meet with Qadri to gather information about the march and to express their reservations.

"The delegation should directly ask Qadri about what reforms he wants in the country," the release said.

Dispelling rumours that the MQM will walk out of its coalition with the government, Altaf said that the elements claiming that the MQM wants elections to be postponed with the help of the long march, were trying to mislead the public.

The MQM chief explained that there are points of common interests such as national security and integrity in the manifestoes of different political parties and these points bring the parties together. He further said that there should be no ill-will between parties having common interests.

This, Altaf said, was the reason why Qadri invited all other political and religious parties, including the PPP, to join the Journey for Revolution.

Karachi blast

During the meeting, Malik condemned Tuesday's bomb blast on MQM supporters in Karachi and assured that the terrorists responsible for the blast would be brought to book and no laxity will be shown in their arrest.

Malik expressed his grief over the loss of life and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.