Referendum: 78% of MQM voters are not in favour of the. PHOTO: FILE
Over a fortnight after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) held a referendum to seek the opinion of its workers on whether or not to join the Sindh government, a party leader broke the silence on Saturday and said that the majority of the people had voted against the decision.
Though the party has yet to announce the results officially, the leader, who requested anonymity, said that 78 per cent of the voters were not in favour of a coalition with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led provincial government. The final decision, however, would be taken by MQM chief Altaf Hussain after consultation with the Rabita Committee and other workers, he added. On June 20, the MQM had held a public referendum on the directives of Altaf Hussain following a visit by PPP leader and former interior minister Rehman Malik to Nine Zero to formally invite the MQM to be a part of the provincial government.
The announcement of the referendum’s decision was, however, postponed since the party was dealing with the murder of its MPA Sajid Qureshi and his son in North Nazimabad. Later, tensions arose as Scotland Yard conducted a raid on the MQM chief’s house in London over his suspected involvement in Dr Imran Farooq’s murder case and confiscated funds. The leader maintained that the workers were not in favour of joining the PPP as the party was not able to do much for its people while it was in the government. He complained that the Peoples Amn Committee - backed by the PPP - had irked the activists and office-bearers of the MQM.
A member of the Rabita Committee, Haider Abbas Rizvi, said that they would announce their decision on whether or not they are with the government quite soon. The MQM had reservations on a number of issues and the disputes were still unresolved, he added. “The fact that the PPP is patronising criminals in Lyari and enforcing the 1979 local government system is regrettable.” On the other hand, the Sindh government is waiting for MQM’s decision with bated breath as Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has yet to allot ministries, such as health, youth affairs, information technology, sports, environment and alternate energy, and others, which were held by the MQM in the last government.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2013.
COMMENTS (44)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1734780406-0/Untitled-(11)1734780406-0-165x106.webp "article")
1734778885-0/Untitled-(10)1734778885-0-165x106.webp "article")
1734776708-0/Untitled-(8)1734776708-0-165x106.webp "article")
1713904359-0/burn-(1)1713904359-0-270x192.webp "young couple burnt in gas explosion")
1734587529-0/Express-Tribune-(1)1734587529-0-270x192.webp "pakistan to host another icc event")
@Mekaal Shahriyar: shouldn't they fight elections?
@bash gul: You are mistaken,even when in coalition with PPP in sindh govt.MQM called for local body election several times and PPP govt always pretended to make it happen.Whenever MQM had been in Federal govt given 2 or 3 ministries.like port & shipping and Overseas Pakistani affairs and in Ptrovincial govt 5 to 6 ministries.But always key post kept by PPP.Do you think in this scenario that MQM will develop sindh and eliminate target killing and other evil deeds with no authorities.MQM has capabilities to bring karachi among world top cities if given authorities and room to work.We do politics but not drwaing room politics.Our elected leaders are amoung us.no one can finger at our leaders for corruption. People should realize this and support MQM.
Why did the MQM not insist on holding the local bodies election while it was in the govt for the last 5 years? News just come in. Owais Muzaffar TAPPI has been appointment as KWSB chairperson. Only MQM developed karachi when it was in the local govt, now watch Tappi
It is time MQM limits itself to one issue only: a full fledged metropolitan government in Karachi on may the best party wins basis. Mqm should prepare a thorough, intelligent case and put it in front of Karachiites and in front of the nation. Let those who r unbiased esp in Punjab and in Sindh come forward and prove why Karachi should not have such a system. If their opposition is based on ethnic considerations only, then mqm has every right to take any extreme measures to get this metrpolitan right. The people of interior Sindh would be most foolish to oppose such a system. A prosperous Karachi is only good for sindh and sindhis. This can only bring urban and rural sindhis closer. The sindhis just have to look at the much larger number of sindhis in karachi compared to a decade back and this has only happened due to the enabling conditions provided by mqm. However, If the federal and sindh government do no show statesmanship, they would for a ling time rue the damage that will eventually be caused to sindh and pakistan.
@Aysha M: The simple lie always conquers the complex truth, no matter how many of us r there or not we should just make our best effort to counter this propagnad which is nothing more tha a crap mostly without any logic or reason, but just purely based on ignorance and hatred. Good luck to all MQM supporters.
Wadera peoples' party thrives on spreading hatred against Urdu speaking people so to not let indutrialization and business environment spreads through the province or that would free the haris from the clutches of waderas. zulfiqar mirza the favourite of many anchorpersons according to his claim distributed 350,000 arms licenses among the criminals of liyari to kill urdu speaking people which is what been happening for last three years now. Even in a situation in proximity of planned life and livelihood genocide of urdu speaking community perpetrated by wadera peoples party MQM should have the shame to not join hands with these waderas again
1986:MQM appears on the horizon: There's no no go area for mohajirs in Karachi, there are mohajirs in government offices despite the quota system, new industries and businesses are being set up, there's no widespread of bhatta. 2013: After MQM being part of many governments at centre and province: Mohajirs can not go to many areas, Mohajirs are extinct from government offices and nealry all government and police posts are occupied by people from interior sind having no sympathy or care for Karachi but taking the city as the place to plunder, industries and businesses are being shifted to other parts of the country, Extortion menace unleashed by MQM's partner in government for five years has made the lives of people especially Urdu speaking impossible to do business and MQM: It's says the quaid will decide whether to join or not after 78% voters say do not join the wadera thugs, Now this is some politics by MQM
@tariq: @True Karachiwala: @arzal ahmed: @Reas Ekberg.:
Great to see more presence for MQM
Only MQM could produce such honest and dedicated leadership
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJK5F__dsdc
@tariq: You are fight friend. Turning deaf ear is not enough. There should be an effective mechanism to counter that propaganda. It is a matter of life and death. People should not remain ignorant nor be misguided. Our press should play positive, honest and sincere role.
Turn a deaf ear to propaganda against MQM.u r right arzal stay united,stay strong.MQM votes are undivided.Making anti MQM group to sideline MQM was a silly thought.Still MQM alive with more support and love.
The feudals have been looting the development funds of Karachi for last five years and have created this liyari gang force to earn extortion money also. MQM has not gained anything from the feudals but destruction of Karachi so better to not be partners with them in destroying Karachi
We totally support thsi refrendum !!!!
*@arzal ahmed:* You replied very decently with facts the same old inane criticism, specially you oudid naeem khan Manhattan,K
MQM's five years of governemnt with the corrupt waderas has given Karachi a growing destructive malaise of extortion and targeted killings. During these five years not a single sdevelopment project has been done in Karachi. No use in conniving with the corrupt waderas again to furtherb destroy Karachi
Stay United, Stay Strong. Even When It Feels Like Everything Is Falling Apart.
Don't be misguide by any kinds of negative and bogus propaganda campaign against MQM and Altaf Hussain. Media channels and anchors are being paid big money for fooling and misguiding the People of Pakistan.
@bash gul: Yes u r right in commenting on coming/going in the govt, but this could be justified, as far as your concern about the socalled luxirous life of our leader. The same leader gave us the identification and a sense of protection, when we were beaton by every other etinicity of sindh, were victims of Quota system and languastic descremination from the state and mass killing of urdu based community from the drug mafia (Qasba Colony). The muhajir community is indebted to Altaf Bhai for the recognition that he gave to urdu speaking community.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: If MQM lives by the sword than the rules say that when the biggest sword in paksitan (pak Army) was present in 1993 election, why the karachities didn't MQM voted out when the whole MQM was underground and there was a clear filed for the JI and other parties in the presence of Army. But it was the Pak Army who make an appeal to MQM to participate in the election after the lowest turnout in the presence of Army in national assembly. And in provincial assembly MQM successfully retain it electrol vote.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: Killers,bhattakhors and thugs r these only words that u can describe a party and its leader Altaf Bhai, who bring first time the educated,young and middle class in the mainstream politics. As far a 12may is concern that guys like u propogate but having difficulty to remember and condemning the KATTI PAHARI and have throat cutting of urdu speaking people in Lyari.
@ashar: Local bodies issues is the biggest issue for the urban sindh context, as the whole urban sindh had turned into garbage cane with out any elected representation. And PPP is punishing the urban sindh for not sidelining with PPP govt. and MQM is making the right demand as the representative of urban sindh.
@reasonlight: Did the police raided the homes of those cricketers for murder investigation, I don't think so. Those who live by the sword die by the sword, If one commits crimes in foreign lands,they will not get away with it but you do the same in Karachi and sure get away with it . I remember May12,2007.
“The fact that the PPP is patronising criminals in Lyari and enforcing the 1979 local government system." PPP should be patronizing the criminals in MQM and not Lyari, then we will join PPP. Shame on PPP by not supporting the MQM thugs. Remember May 12,2007, that case has yet to be solved and those responsible bring to justice. VIVA MQM.
"78% of the 325 million votes counted in referendum were not in favor of the coalition with ppp"... was the complete sentence.
It is wonderful to see that MQM spokespersons are only focusing on the local bodies system with regards to joining and not joining the government setting aside rest of the bigger issues. Is it still a matter of party finances after having the level of trouble experienced in London?
It is the fault of MQM leadership at all levels who showed immaturity by repeatedly siding/not siding,their is very serious discipline problems in party workers who are involved in all types criminal activities in their own area by mis-using name of MQM.
@Rashid: only day dreaming.lol
The killing and disappearane of MQM workers and supporter after elections, proves that MQM decison to joing the previous PPP govt was righty, as PPP was not only in the province but also running the show from federal govt. Zulfiqar Mirza circus and Lyari gang war is part of the PPP to black mail the urdu speaking community. And MQM decision to join the previous PPP is justified in larger context for the safety of muhajir community in karachi/hyderabad and specially in interior sindh from sindhi nationalist and lyari gang war.
@Danish Ullah: And what else a "political party" is, please elaborate
......so the last 5 years was a mistake ?........ and you just realised it ?
@Rashid: Your dear Altaf Bhai may be in England but his followers are in Pakistan. If he is killed or died or convicted, new leadership will emerge and you will not turn away.
@Danish Ullah: Yes on the basis of referendum results. Other parties should also pool opinion of their workers, if they have such mechanism, for taking important decisions.
@The Paki!: Even in the opposition the elected representatives are part of government. They are parliamentary committees and make their contribution. None looses in being in opposition benches. People dont understand democracy and parliamentary system. The does not eduate masses for that. It is their duty. It is not their duty to misguide. Hence your comment.
There is clear bias against MQM They are perhaps bribed or sponsored by the rival parties who have billions for this purpose. Media portrays only MQM as power hungry. They would not tell you exactly how long MQM remained out of power and how many times with treasury benches. You can compute yourself.
MQM would not make their policies on wishes and whims of media. They have a right to make their own decision.
JUIF is a relatively smaller political party in terms of their appearance in the houses. They have been coalition partners of more governments and for longer periods. Even today they are in Federal government. Media does not highlight that nor it is highlight worthy..
@ Aysha M
For the first time I think I couldn't agree to you more that MQM sells!, but you forgot to add more. The correct phrase should be MQM sells, and later takes back all the profits with some additional "selling commission" too!
@Karachiite: no form of media can ignore MQM, MQM sells!
ET is this even worthy a news? Or ET has decided to work as the English daily of Muttahida and provide its trollers a much needed place to comment?
Dear 'reasonlight'. Aren't u forgetting that our dear Altaf Bhai is UK national? lol. I think its payback time ... ta ta Altaf bhai
Shouldnt Pakistan support Altaf in his tribulation with Brit. Metro police? Is he not a leader of a political party in Pakistan which is present in National Assembly, Sind Assembly, Gilgit Baltistan and the Senate? Didnt we support our cricketers who were nabbed and punished?
If today they will not support them, they will not support the others also.
Our media has different standards about MQM. Most of anchors mock at political moves of MQM. When MQM decides to leave the government, media wants that they should never comeback even if the causes of separation removed. When Altaf resigned on moral grounds the news caption was "MQM chief Altaf Hussain takes back his resignation".
Moral grounds are no grounds in Pakistan politics. Media wants that MQM should do tailor made politics according to media. Why media itself does not take active part in politics and contest elections?
Should MQM seek guidance from media?
"78 per cent of the voters were not in favour of a coalition with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led provincial government. The final decision, however, would be taken by MQM chief Altaf Hussain"
And this is a "political party"?
It is all a game of "chairs".
Really? Am I living on Mars or what?
Actually it would be unbelievable to see that MQM is not in a government. Otherwise I always thought that MQM would not even stop to be in coalition with BJP (India), if it is the question of government seat sharing.
I would miss you guys so much !!!
P.S: Please stick to the decision for heaven's sake!
It would be wise for MQM to stay away from the coalitulion this time around.
No point in joining the government if there is no consensus on local body elections. Karachi cannot survive without a powerful mayor who has policing and transport under him.
PPP government is clearly not interested in restoring peace in the metropolis.