Elections a battle between ‘pro and anti-Taliban forces’
ANP, PPP, MQM blame ECP, caretakers for turning blind eye to attacks.
A delegation comprising of former interior minister Rehman Malik, MQM’s Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar, Raza Haroon and Dr Sagheer Ahmed visited the residence of ANP’s Sindh chapter chief Shahi Syed. PHOTO: INP
KARACHI:
Leaders of the Awami National Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Pakistan Peoples Party have said the upcoming elections are a contest between “anti-Taliban and pro-Taliban parties.”
A delegation comprising of former interior minister Rehman Malik, MQM’s Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar, Raza Haroon and Dr Sagheer Ahmed visited the residence of ANP’s Sindh chapter chief Shahi Syed on Wednesday to discuss the violent campaign waged by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan on the three parties.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting at Mardan House, Syed labelled the polls a contest between “anti-Taliban and pro-Taliban parties.”
Dr Sattar criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan and the caretaker government for not clamping down on TTP and other terrorist groups. He also questioned the ECP’s role for not taking notice of the militants’ involvement in the elections.
Rehman Malik stated: “I appeal to the people to come out against these militant elements because if today we cannot conduct our political campaigns, then one day all the parties will face a similar situation.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2013.
Leaders of the Awami National Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Pakistan Peoples Party have said the upcoming elections are a contest between “anti-Taliban and pro-Taliban parties.”
A delegation comprising of former interior minister Rehman Malik, MQM’s Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar, Raza Haroon and Dr Sagheer Ahmed visited the residence of ANP’s Sindh chapter chief Shahi Syed on Wednesday to discuss the violent campaign waged by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan on the three parties.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting at Mardan House, Syed labelled the polls a contest between “anti-Taliban and pro-Taliban parties.”
Dr Sattar criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan and the caretaker government for not clamping down on TTP and other terrorist groups. He also questioned the ECP’s role for not taking notice of the militants’ involvement in the elections.
Rehman Malik stated: “I appeal to the people to come out against these militant elements because if today we cannot conduct our political campaigns, then one day all the parties will face a similar situation.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2013.