File photo of MQM chief Altaf Hussain. PHOTO: MQM/FILE
Altaf said that during the long march, the temperature is forecasted to drop to 0 or even -1 degrees Celsius and requested the people to hand over blankets, warm clothes, woolen caps, umbrellas and raincoats at MQM’s headquarter Nine Zero or at offices of the party’s charity wing Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation.
The MQM and Minhajul Quran International (MQI) had decided to join forces and agreed to hold the million-man march on January 14 jointly to press for a neutral caretaker set-up and free, fair and transparent elections.
On the interior ministry’s directives, red zones including key government offices and diplomatic missions in the city were being sealed through containers and with barbed wire.
Furthermore, every individual entering Islamabad for the protest would need valid identification, while hired buses would have to possess valid documents, an official handout released by the interior ministry said.
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I am not a supporter of any party in Pakistan. As a person of Pakistani origin I take interest and keep myself aware of day to day happenings in Pakistan. The present government ihas broken all records of corruptions and killings of its own citizens. If some one has decided to change the present corrupt electoral systems in Pakistan then we all irrespective of political affiliation support.this person. The main reason for corruption is the existing system which is sending the same corrupt persons to national and provincial assemblies. If election are held without changing the or correcting the present system then the same corrupt waderas will be ministers,president and prime minister. The basis is that the persons who do not pay taxes or are corrupt should not be allowed to stand in election from any party. This what DR Quadri is telling and going for a Long March. I am surprised that Mr Imran Khan has refused to join long march the reason is that MQM is supporting Dr Quadri so PTI will not join. This is a thinking of an immatuare person. If MQM say some thing then we all should support, As we all know that MQM is the only party of educated middle class. I am not a suuporter of MQM but appreciate MQM support for a long march for a change in the system to save Pakistan. PTI should be wise and matuare enough to decide a just call for a change in the system. It is not a March to delay election it a call to change system in Pakistan.
@Sterry: u should probably try saying that to the masses who turned up at the two places where Tahirul Qadri and Altaf Hussain addressed
Dr. Tahir ul Qadri is srtiving hard to make the middle and lower middle class of Pakistan have a say in shaping the destiny of this country. He is not seeking anything for himself. What has gone wrong with our people that they have become their own enemies. History will never forgive the likes of those finding all kinds of faults with his call, and creating hinderance in his way. It is high time for patriot pakistanis to wake up and support him.
@Aysha: People don't want reforms from a runaway cleric like Tahirul Qadri or runaway politician like Altaf Hussain. Both of these characters had to swear allegiance to the Queen of UK in order to get British and Canadian nationality so they have no right to comment on politics in Pakistan. All they want to do is cause disruption when the elections are only a few months away. Rather than trying to bring instability and trouble to the capital of Pakistan, they should just work in their new adopted countries. This behaviour would not be tolerate in UK or Canada so why do they think they can do it in Pakistan? We all know Pakistan is fighting a war against criminals so we don't need instability in the capital right now.
Better buy the warm clothes quickly, before Rehman "Ban Baba" Malik bans them too for securing failure of the long march.
Altaf bhai forgot people in such cold weather need shelter and food too. He should appeal to each house owner to give shelter to atleast 10 people and provide them with mutton biryani and hot tea.
@Shanzay Khan: its not a protest against the govt., but voicing the will of the people for reforms
Yes. I will donate not ony warm clothes but also eatables to the participants of long march provided Altaf Hussain does not take his decision back to support the long march as he never sticks to his stand and always takes turnaround in all political matters of importance. Now let us see how he behaves in the matter of long march.
MQM can not find but a British national as their chief of the party. This is pathetic and major weakness in the party. Media should not give exposure to this British national. They should be more responsible to Pakistan.
@Maher: Ace is the winner u just copied him or her , by the way wonderful joke at theexpense of MQM, i do support mqm, but we know in the spirit of humor and wit, love it
i think these canadian and british dudes got a big consignment of 2nd hand sweaters from their respective homelands and now they r looking ways to dispose it off. landa traders
Most senseless long march in recorded history. It must be stopped before its too late.
@Ace: Hilarious....cant stop laughing.
MQM the best power politics player. Stayed in power with Mushraff and now with PPP and chanting revolution slogans with Qadri as well. Great politics.
@Ace: wonderful comment , dil khush ho giya, although i do support MQM for many things good that they have achieved , most of all mustafa kamal era in karachi also the sensible way their political programmes are conducted, i have yet to see chaos and animal behavior on food at MQM gatherings, , but to laugh at ones own expense is also broad mind attitude which altaaf bhai practice and preaches, unlike rest of the leadership their walk is at 180 degree opposite direction of their talk.Remember bakery case , with lot of publicity damaad jee went to police and then everything hushed up , where is that women who wagged finger.So we all should be happy at sweater snatching as compared to wagging fingers followed by in human beating on poor bakery worker , yesterday there was report that in lahore last year 653 people were murdered , if we look thru population ratio , lahore is the winner.
One thing I can say with assertion is that MQM is supporting its cause. Cause that was initiated and struggle was led by Altaf Hussain Himself 30 Years a go.
Whom ever may have called or it, but the agenda is same. This country is ours an so are it's people's. We can only succed in a true democratic environment. Not this corrupt one. It's not about political mileage, it's about te nation. WAKE UP PEOPLES
Why the government is not inviting Dr Tahirul Qadiri for for talks on his political reforms agenda instead of sending the Interior Minister to the Shaikh ul Islam and Altaf Bhai to avert the impending long march.
Karachities now we have to protect our blankets and warm cloths...
@Ace: wonderful comment , dil khush ho giya, although i do support MQM for many things good that they have achieved , most of all mustafa kamal era in karachi also the sensible way their political programmes are conducted, i have yet to see chaos and animal behavior on food at MQM gatherings, , but to laugh at ones own expense is also broad mind attitude which altaaf bhai practice and preaches, unlike rest of the leadership their walk is at 180 degree opposite direction of their talk.Remember bakery case , with lot of publicity damaad jee went to police and then everything hushed up , where is that women who wagged finger.So we all should be happy at sweater snatching as compared to wagging fingers followed by in human beating on poor bakery worker , yesterday there was report that in lahore last 653 people were murdered , if we look thru population ratio , lahore is the winner.
@Ace: Probability of that happenning is 100%. Karachiites are advised to wear their sweaters under their clothes to stay safe and warm during this time.
i hope he will not ask us to donate for the wages of the participants =p
Are you saying that only poor people should physically participate and rich should only donate.So are MQM and TQ will supportt their families who will loose daily wages for a week or more?Both parties should focus on broadening their appeal, increase thgeir seats and then bring change thru parliamant.Rather than these pure drams and waste of money.
Ask the canadian Govt & ask your London govt to send them warm clothes we are fedup of you all..... waste of time
I an really perplexed!!!!! How can a UK citizen, paying taxes to the UK government, play such a leading role in Pakistan??????? Living in the UK and enjoying a leadership posistion in Pakistan!!!!!! Even the Prime Minister and Information Minister consulting with Altaf Bhai on crucial decision making?????? I am lost!!! I fail to understand!!!!!!
Yes I will donate
Why is he supporting agitation against his own government?
So now, in addition to mobile and wallet snatching, Karachites will have to face jacket/sweater snatching too.
I would donate some brain and logic to the people who are participating in this march. Think about it, This guy was in government with last government for 5 years and this government for 5 years and they failed to make situation any better of their very own city Karachi.
Now they're going to pretend and protest against this very same government which these guys are part of. This is a big joke against the people of Pakistan. If such a drama had happened anywhere else in the civlized world, it'd have ended the political care of that party. But over here, they still find people to listen to their lies.
Altaf Bhai is a genius, he is supporting the long march and ridiculing it at the same time.
A genuine million march is based on eemaan for a cause, and does NOT require donations. The beauty about the current Pakistan is that its so called leaders get exposed within days and yet they like to survive under their patronage.