Dr Farooq Sattar. PHOTO: APP/ FILE
While talking to the media in Karachi on Wednesday, he said, “If our government institutions are not fulfilling their duties of ensuring fair elections, then by default or design it is leading towards unfair and non-transparent elections.”
In certain provinces, like Punjab, election climate is in full swing with parties holding big rallies, while MQM and few other parties are pushed aside and barred from carrying out their election campaign.
“In the given circumstances, when we are receiving open threats from terrorists, our offices are being attacked and party officials being killed, we are in no position to hold big rallies like other parties,” Sattar said.
On April 23, a crude bomb targeting MQM roadside office killed at least three people and injured 30 others. The attack, which took place in the Buffer Zone area, prompted the closure of all roadside camp offices of the party.
Party chief Altaf Hussain had claimed that about 25 MQM activists, including an election candidate, have been killed over the past few days.
Following the attacks, MQM had called for a strike in the region on Wednesday.
COMMENTS (23)
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1731326358-0/Express-Tribune--(9)1731326358-0-270x192.webp "mastermind of karachi airport suicide attack arrested")
There is few clear indications that this time election will be free and fair to a little extend so MQM will be loosing their seats from karachi and Hyderabad. To coup the situation clever MQM leadership started to make election process controversial which is their old tactic.
I love my country and karachi and its people but I fail to see how a rational person would vote for MQM.
Hypocrisy in the guise of democracy.
There is nothing prejudiced about criticising MQM. For fifteen years they have pushed this great city on the basis of language, ethnicity and introduced Bhatta and voilence in the name of politics. Its not that they were not at the helms of affairs..They were the government, for Gods sake. They have wasted a great opportunity to bring about a social change by bringing in the lower midddle class by practising fascist policies of its leadership @A Karachiite!:
Somehow I dont feel sorry for your plight...after all you are one of the architect of destruction of the beautiful city of Karachi!! You reap what you sow..
@Baffled: Really!
True
What is your governor doing for law and order???? MQM cannot deceive people of Pakistan this time.
@A Karachiite!: MQM have been in power for 15 years (more than any other party in last two decades). I appreciate that they did work under Musharraf era, but they cannot alone take the credit for those achievement as Musharraf was the driving force behind that work. But sorry to say they have completely failed in last five years. Dodging their voters and public at large by not taking the responsibility for the law and order of the city which they say they own. By playing tricks with PPP, they had a say in the Sind interim set up also. So MQM who was in power for 15 years, had interim government of their choice and still the blame others for law and order in Karachi?? Can anyone please explain!!! With regard killings, we all know that all major stake holding political parties in Karachi have armed wings and they are all involve in all sorts of dangerous activities and this is the reason why we see killings in Karachi. To sum up MQM had 15 years at stretch years to show their performance and they have failed completely; they are in government one day and out another day. Their policies have lost consistency and credibility. And you say I am prejudice???
Why not appoint Imran Khan the PM and Ehsan Ullah Ehsan his spokesperson while the cabinet could be a mix of PTI and TTP members? Spare us from this bloodshed.
Where is my comment ET?
For the rest, again MQM phobia, come out of it. How can you be blind to the times when MQM was "truely" in power from 2002-2010 and they delievered.
don't you have any money/. i am not seeing any full page advertisements in newspapers by MQM unlike all other political parties.
So when the constituencies are being restored to their correct state and your rigging chances are being limited then you start crying foul?
@ Adnan, Can you be more prejeduiced ?? MQM has been attacked on daily basis in Karachi, and you are calling this face saving ?? I mean if you dont like MQM dont vote for it, but atleast show some threads of humanity..
I hate ANP to core, And I know it has no chance to win elections, as PTI wil get its seats from KPK, and its Karachi seats will go back to JI, but I still sympathise with them because they are also being attacked and prevented from conducting election activities. Dont go so blind in rage towards anyone !!! keep you humanity corner intact whether voting for PTI, MQM or even ANP. !!
Wow, here we go again. I wonder how old most of you are, by your comments it just shows your shallow thinking and mind set. Karachi was burning even before MQM was created. MQM was truley in power from 2002-2010 and they delieverd, if you don't like then continue with MQM phobia. What PTI has been offering and doing now, MQM presented and has been shouting for it since last many years. MQM gave tickets to Youth since its inception, Farooq Sattar was the mayor when he was 26 yrs old. It worked without discrimination during it local govt. and when they had interior ministry. No corruption charges and probably only party where people dont fight like animals for food and tickets beside JI. 1..2..3..go...start your comments full of hatred and no substance....trolls
lol
MQM can see the writing on the wall, which says that their mandate in Karachi will be affected. These statement are part of plan for post 11 May face saving exercise. They have been in power nearly 15 years. Have shared power but they do not want take responsibility for their mandate.
Very. Very. Ironic.
It is sad to see Karachi burning. MQM has been part of every government and Karachi has been still burning since forever under MQM government. They stil have their own Governor Sindh. How can they simply blame others.
Tell us about it you've been in power for more than twenty years.