In a press conference by the MQM Rabita Committee, Abdul Haseeb Khan said that Shah's comments where he termed the word 'Muhajir' was a pejorative term.
Khan added that they had filed a petition against Shah over his comments. He said that a fatawa, endorsed by a number of clerics, had been issued over Shah’s potentially sacrilegious comments.
He requested all transporters and traders to observe black day with them.
Even though Shah had appologised for his remarks, the MQM parted ways with the PPP led coalition government in Sindh on October 19.
Businesses closed
Soon after MQM’s announcement, businesses started closing down in various parts of Karachi.
The affected areas included Federal-B Area, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, New Karachi, Korangi, Shah Faisal Colony, Kharadar and Mithadar areas where shopkeepers, especially those who run their business till late-night, shuttered their commercial activities.
Though no incident of aerial firing or forced closing of shops was reported from any part of the city, but petrol pumps in various localities were closed.
Police and Rangers patrolling was also beefed up in the city to avoid any untoward incident. Authorities have also been asked to stay alert and take stern action against any one found forcefully closing down the businesses in the city.
Protest
MQM Deputy Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddqui announced that the party will stage a protest at the Shahrah-e-Quaideen and Khalid-bin-Waleed road intersection on Sunday afternoon.
He urged the public to join their protest.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ