Feeling cornered: MQM feels it’s being pinned to the wall
Deputy convenor addresses supporters at press club on Friday.
Hundreds of Muttahida Qaumi Movement activists protest outside the press club on Friday against the arrest of the party’s former MPA Nadeem Hashmi and the detention of other workers. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) feels it is being pinned to the wall, announced its leaders on Friday, warning that their desire for peace in the city should not be considered as their weakness.
“Our patience should not be taken for granted as we want Karachi to be peaceful again but, if this injustice continues, then this could lead to a big crisis,” lashed out MQM deputy convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui outside the press club on Friday, when hundreds of its activists had gathered to protest the arrest of its former MPA Nadeem Hashmi and the detention of other workers. “The decision will be taken on the streets,” he said. The party leader said they want the operation to be against criminals only. “We are not against the operation but we are opposing how the operation is targeting us,” he said, pointing out that their workers have been arrested under ‘false’ cases. “Why is the Muhajir community being victimised? We will seek justice for the blood that is being spilled.”
Meanwhile, MQM leader Faisal Subzwari demanded that those who were politicising the operation and targeting them should be exposed.
“On whose orders is the operation being directed towards us?” he asked. The MQM leader said that they want an impartial operation in the city, against criminals, gangsters, extortionists, target killers and militants. “We want peace restored in Karachi at every cost,” said Subzwari, adding that if criminals are from any political party, they should be held accountable for their actions. Those who want the party’s demise won’t be successful in their wishes, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2013.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) feels it is being pinned to the wall, announced its leaders on Friday, warning that their desire for peace in the city should not be considered as their weakness.
“Our patience should not be taken for granted as we want Karachi to be peaceful again but, if this injustice continues, then this could lead to a big crisis,” lashed out MQM deputy convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui outside the press club on Friday, when hundreds of its activists had gathered to protest the arrest of its former MPA Nadeem Hashmi and the detention of other workers. “The decision will be taken on the streets,” he said. The party leader said they want the operation to be against criminals only. “We are not against the operation but we are opposing how the operation is targeting us,” he said, pointing out that their workers have been arrested under ‘false’ cases. “Why is the Muhajir community being victimised? We will seek justice for the blood that is being spilled.”
Meanwhile, MQM leader Faisal Subzwari demanded that those who were politicising the operation and targeting them should be exposed.
“On whose orders is the operation being directed towards us?” he asked. The MQM leader said that they want an impartial operation in the city, against criminals, gangsters, extortionists, target killers and militants. “We want peace restored in Karachi at every cost,” said Subzwari, adding that if criminals are from any political party, they should be held accountable for their actions. Those who want the party’s demise won’t be successful in their wishes, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2013.