MQM to file constitutional petition against delimitation notice

Altaf claims rights of the voters being snatched through illegal and unconstitutional means.

LONDON: Claiming that the right of the adult franchise of the people of Karachi was being denied by resorting to illegal and unconstitutional methods, Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Friday said that they would be challenging the Election Commission’s notification for redrawing electoral constituencies in Karachi in the high court.

According to a press release issued by the MQM, Altaf said that efforts were underway to harm the vote bank of the MQM by gerrymandering the constituencies.

The MQM chief asked the coordination committee, legal advisers and constitutional experts of the party to challenge the decision of the ECP in the high court by filing a constitutional petition.

Altaf asked whether constituencies could be redrawn after the announcement of the election schedule.

MQM denies “militant” wing

Referring to the proceedings of the Karachi lawlessness case in the Supreme Court, Altaf refuted allegations of a militant wing, categorically stating that there was no such wing in the MQM.

The MQM chief said that accountability was a continuous process in the MQM and there was no room for criminal elements in the MQM. He added that the MQM could not be blamed if someone claimed to be affiliated with the party after being arrested.