A matter of urgency: MQM forms committee to resolve political crisis

The committee comprises the party's parliamentarians and senior party leaders.

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has formed its own committee comprising senior party leaders and parliamentarians who will meet various political leaders to try to resolve the current political crisis in the country.

MQM's Rabita Committee member Aminul Haque, who is currently in Islamabad, told The Express Tribune that the committee comprising three to five members will meet political and religious parties on an 'urgent basis.'

"Since the beginning of this political turmoil, MQM has stressed for dialogues among the government and the protesting parties. There is no solution other than trying to resolve the issue through discussion." The committee, which comprises MNAs Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Dr Farooq Sattar, will also include senior members of the Rabita Committee.

Haque said that if the need arises, the MQM will also meet leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf, the party's rivals, to defuse political tensions. Meanwhile, MQM chief Altaf Hussain has termed the next 72 hours very important and crucial for the country, and has directed his party's MNAs to reach the capital.

On Monday morning, Altaf spoke to parliamentarians and Rabita Committee members at the party headquarters, Nine Zero, and expressed his concern that the country was passing through a difficult time. He urged the members to do everything in their power to steer the country out of the political crisis.

He also appealed to the government and the protesting parties to avoid confrontations and resolve matters through dialogue. Pledging support for the chairperson of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Dr Tahirul Qadri, Altaf said that his demands reflected the desires and wishes of the public.

"His [Qadri's] demands do not violate the constitution and laws. The government should convene a meeting of its leaders to discuss the legitimate demands and accept them," he said, adding that time was running out and decisions should be taken quickly. The MQM delegation is expected to meet with Qadri soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2014.