Missing workers: MQM extends deadline for the time being

KARACHI:

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has decided to extend the deadline that it had given to the government to locate its missing workers, after the 72-hour ultimatum expired on Monday. The decision was formally announced on Tuesday.

The decision to extend the deadline was taken in a meeting attended by members of the party's Rabita Committee in Pakistan and London.

Last week, the MQM, which is now part of the PPP-led Sindh government, had announced in a press conference that it would hold demonstrations and stage sit-ins if its missing workers were not found within the stipulated time.

On Tuesday, MQM leader Wasay Jalil told The Express Tribune that the decision to protest was being postponed for the time being. "We have discussed the recovery of our missing workers, arrests and the investigation of extrajudicial killings, compensation and jobs for the affected families and in return, the Pakistan Peoples Party has given us assurances."

He added, however, that in case the demands were not met, they would stick to the original plan of holding protests. Jalil said that another factor to postpone the protests was the ongoing examinations in the city and they did not want to disrupt the process.

Former interior minister and PPP leader, Rehman Malik, is reported to have played a vital role in settling matters between the MQM and the PPP. He also spoke to MQM chief Altaf Hussain on the phone, requesting him to take back the ultimatum.

Rehman had expressed grief over the recent killings of the MQM workers, and said that the Sindh government was investigating the matter independently, besides with the Rangers and the police.  Meanwhile, MQM chief Altaf Hussain said that it was the responsibility of the government to trace their missing activists and arrest those involved in extrajudicial killings.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2014.