The first protest against PTI’s Imran Khan in the series of such gatherings planned by the MQM was held outside the press club on Monday afternoon. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Kicking off its series of protests against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Monday, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists held Khan and the “thunder squad” of Jamaat-e-Islami responsible for Zahra Shahid Hussain’s murder.
During the MQM’s protest on a hot Monday afternoon, hundreds of workers, women and men occupied the streets leading up to the Karachi Press Club. They demanded an apology from Khan, who has held the MQM chief Altaf Hussain responsible for Zahra’s murder. The city would have witnesses a massive showdown had the PTI not changed its own protest venue to the Quaid’s mausoleum at the last minute.
Shouting ‘Munna Bhai, Imran Khan’, Shahida Mansoor from Gulberg said that Khan had insulted the entire nation. “Without investigations, how can he hold our leader responsible?”
The MQM Rabita Committee members and other leaders addressed the crowd from a truck. The protesters held posters, openly calling Khan a “playboy”. Other demonstrators burnt his plastic effigy and pretended to hit a stray dog who had a PTI banner on its back.
MQM leader Nabil Gabol said that the doors of Karachi would be shut on those who speak against their leader. “They won’t be able to enter Karachi if they insult Altaf Hussain,” he roared as the crowd cheered. By highlighting the voting rights of only the residents of DHA and Clifton, Imran Khan tried to create differences among the residents of Karachi, he said. “For how long will you enjoy power on one national assembly seat from Karachi…. you can’t divide our people.”
Personal attacks on Imran Khan’s relationship with Sita White were often part of the speeches at the protest. Waseem Aftab pointed out that in his youth while Imran Khan was busy dancing at night clubs, Altaf Hussain was struggling for the rights of his people.
Aftab said that Imran Khan spent Rs25 billion on his election campaign so that he could become the prime minister. “And when he was rejected by the people, he lost his mind and is not accepting that he is not wanted.”
Referring to the reports about a 65-year-old chief minister in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Aftab claimed that Imran has shown his true face by supporting corrupt people. “I want to ask the youngsters where the young blood is? Where is the Naya Pakistan.” He ended his speech by telling the protesters that it is time to step out from their homes.
Former health minister Sagheer Ahmed demanded the police include Khan’s name in the murder investigations of PTI’s Zahra Shahid Hussain. “He is behind the murder of Zahra Apa because he accused us within five minutes.”
Protesters also gather in Hyderabad
MQM protest against PTI chief Imran Khan entered the second day as scores of MQM supporters staged demonstrations in parts of Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Umerkot, Tando Allahyar and Benazirabad on Monday.
In Hyderabad, rallies from different areas converged at the press club where a two-hour-long sit-in was staged.
MQM’s newly elected lawmakers from Hyderabad also addressed the protesters.
View a slideshow of the protest here.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2013.
COMMENTS (5)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Imran Khan and PTI have miserably failed !
@Tanzeel. NA-29 winner Murad Saeed from Swat valley is 28 years old. Most of them are new faces in KpK.
well said! a 65-year-old chief minister in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Aftab claimed that Imran has shown his true face by supporting corrupt people. “I want to ask the youngsters where the young blood is? Where is the Naya Pakistan.
Lets see how many cars and bikes burn this time in karachi n hyderabad in these peacefull protests by namaloom afraad.