MQM had earlier called for a day of mourning across the province on Thursday. PHOTO: FILE
Speaking at a press conference at the Khursheed Begum Memorial Secretariat, Siddiqui said that party workers were bearing the brunt of increasing terrorism in the city.
"Eight of our workers are missing and we have no idea where they are," Siddqui said.
He implored the government and the Chief Justice to take notice of MQM's party workers that were missing.
He said that the country was running on the revenues of Karachi, and if it was left at the mercy of criminals, it would be disastrous for the whole country.
The rise in extremism and target killings could lead to the situation of 1971, he added.
Siddiqui claimed that Lyari was no longer in control of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) but had become the hub of criminals. He asked the government of Sindh to stop supporting Peoples' Aman Committee (PAC) which he claimed was responsible for the killing of MQM's party workers.
"Instead of paying respects at the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum, Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah went to Lyari after his oath-taking," Siddiqui claimed.
He said that the parties who were demonstrating against the alleged rigging during the elections did not protest against the rise in target killings and extortion, including Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). They did not even offer condolences, he asserted.
Siddiqui said that if notice isn't taken of the increasing number of terrorist incidents in the province, people will have to take their security into their own hands.
MQM had earlier called for a day of mourning across the province on Thursday after three of its workers were kidnapped and killed by unidentified men. The party had requested traders and transporters to suspend their activities and express solidarity with them.
New members added to the Coordination Committee
At the press conference, Aminul Haque and Ahmed Saleem Siddiqui also joined the MQM Coordination Committee bringing the total number of members to 25.
COMMENTS (23)
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They have chose to remain with PPP to protect Karachi from gangsters of Lyari. But as soon as they sit in opposition what do we see CM Sindh meeting Uzair Baloch in Lyari. What else justification do you want that who are the real terrorists operating in Karachi?
Now MQM has come in opposition. Now every person killed in Karachi will be worker of MQM. They remained in power for 14 years. Now they have started becoming MAZLOOM. Shame for MQM.
@Karachite: Very true. MQM basically takes revenge on Karachi
Shame on MQM for blackmailing the government. were they sleeping during last 5 years. MQM fully enjoyed last tenure, and now again fooling the people...
@Karachiite: What about the criminals and terrorists in MQM? This is the biggest source of crime and terrorism in Karachi. Whenver MQM is out of government or wants something from the ruling party crime and violence goes up in Karachi. What would you want to do about this?
@Fz1: Wow! Genius! Are you for real? I mean how destabilizing Pakistan will help the two parties? And there is a minor difference of 2 or 3 seats of MQM in NA so please stop this half-baked theories of yours. PML-N even invited MQM to government. If they wanted they could have joined. People, nowadays, can talk nonsense with full confidence. No wonder where this nation is heading.
Though MQM is right at this point, but where is the Youm-e-Sough for those who are kidnapped and killed for ransom money every day ?
@Karachite: Lahore and other cities are not hijacked by MQM so unfortunately Karachi will have to do wtth it.
So this is how they start blackmailing the new government. MQM didnt notice the terrorism in the last 10 yrs of their governments but come out now. I wish all MQM goons to b picked up and disappeared. Start with their governor and then their militant wing. Please.
"Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Deputy Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, officially drawing the strike to a close on Thursday said it was unfortunate the government of Sindh was making no marked efforts to counter terrorism." really how can anyone start a 'counter terrorism' until you are there?
Dear MQM, This is the same Person as our Chief Justice today who you did not allow enter Karachi on 12 May. Has not the time changed. One advice to you all do not fool yourself. Have a local leadership instead of following a foreigner.
what ever PTI=Pakistan Taliban Institute does is always nobel.. and if others do it became a crime! hypocrisy at its height.
In india they had problems with hindus brother and now????
Government of Sindh should take MQM to court for economic loss from strike.Enough.
I humbly request Altaf Hussain bhai and his newly nominated 'corruption free' Rabita Committee to please give strike calls in Lahore, or other cities for that matter, rather than in Karachi as otherwise Karachites suffer. didn't we Karachites vote heavily for MQM? So why make them suffer? But no! Karachites do not vote for MQM so first MQM makes sure that nobody else gets a seat and then they are taking revenge from Karachites for not voting for MQM :-(
Now we know who the real enemies of Pakistan are. They shut down the economic hub of the country so that the country does not progress. We all sympathzse with the victims and condemn these brutal kidnapping and murders. If they had to ask the CJ to take suo motto notice, then why this strike paralyzing the city.No one in the NA bothered to ask the MQM why are they sitting in house when they are on strike. Let the poor masses suffer while their leaders enjoy the Islamabad weather.
People of Karachi should take security into their hands since state has failed to secure their lives and PAC AND ITS SUPPORTER PPP should be brought in the court of justice. If this time establishment plans to operation clean up against the one community rather than criminals of PAC then MQM should go for the biggest sit in the whole Karachi and interior Sindh unless eace, stability and security is guaranteed by the federal government of Pakistan.
@Hairaan , please don't be so much .The Jamatis are living freely in Karachi . that's the Hairaani .!!!
now pppp and mqm are on the agenda to destabilize the Karachi and the country :( their theory is if we are not in power why others;
Remember 12/5?
Local Taliban Drones....
MQM has to pay price for not supporting PPP in Sindh and Center. These actions and reactions will make life of Karachiites miserable (further).
Dear Sindh Government,
Please take us in the government or we will be forced to blackmail you to any extent possible. and yes, Ishrat-ul-Ebad will still not resign.