Religion, politics should be kept separate, urges Khursheed Shah
Parts of Sindh come to a standstill as MQM observes black day against Shah's remarks on 'muhajirs'
SUKKUR/KARACHI:
As Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) observes black day in protest against “derogatory remarks” made by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah against “muhajirs", Shah stressed religion and politics should be kept separate, Express News reported on Sunday.
On October 18, Shah had said that Urdu-speaking people of Pakistan were now permanent residents and should therefore stop calling themselves ‘muhajirs’. “The word ‘muhajir’ is a ‘gaali’ (curse) for me and I urge our friends to please stop referring to themselves as muhajir,” he had said.
Addressing the media in Sukkur today, the PPP leader said all Urdu-speaking people are his brothers. “We Sindhis would not let anyone break the province,” he added.
Speaking about the blasphemy charges levelled against him, Shah said several conspiracies had been formulated against me in the past as well. “Despite all these nefarious schemes against me, voters have elected me eight times and I have an important role to play in the politics of the country,” he stated.
Black day
On the appeal of MQM chief Altaf Hussain, businesses and petrol pumps in a few areas of Karachi, Hyderabad and other parts of Sindh were closed down.
Little to no transport was seen on the roads.
Entry test scheduled to be held today at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro was also cancelled.
MQM will stage a protest at Shahrah-e-Quaideen at 3pm today where Altaf Hussain is expected to address the supporters.
Rangers and police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
Muhajir is a sacred term
Former PPP MNA Abdul Qadir Patel, in a press conference, said that Shah’s statement was misunderstood and despite his apology, MQM was misusing the situation.
“The word ‘muhajir’ is sacred for me,” Patel said, questioning why MQM removed it from their party name and changed it to Muttahida Qaumi Movement instead.
Referring to blasphemy charges levelled against Shah by MQM leaders, Patel said religion should be kept out of politics.
Further, he criticised MQM for ‘shutting off’ news channels in parts of Karachi yesterday.
“To cover their news conferences held last night and their rally today, they forced you [cable operators] to shut transmission.”
As Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) observes black day in protest against “derogatory remarks” made by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah against “muhajirs", Shah stressed religion and politics should be kept separate, Express News reported on Sunday.
On October 18, Shah had said that Urdu-speaking people of Pakistan were now permanent residents and should therefore stop calling themselves ‘muhajirs’. “The word ‘muhajir’ is a ‘gaali’ (curse) for me and I urge our friends to please stop referring to themselves as muhajir,” he had said.
Addressing the media in Sukkur today, the PPP leader said all Urdu-speaking people are his brothers. “We Sindhis would not let anyone break the province,” he added.
Speaking about the blasphemy charges levelled against him, Shah said several conspiracies had been formulated against me in the past as well. “Despite all these nefarious schemes against me, voters have elected me eight times and I have an important role to play in the politics of the country,” he stated.
Black day
On the appeal of MQM chief Altaf Hussain, businesses and petrol pumps in a few areas of Karachi, Hyderabad and other parts of Sindh were closed down.
Little to no transport was seen on the roads.
Entry test scheduled to be held today at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro was also cancelled.
MQM will stage a protest at Shahrah-e-Quaideen at 3pm today where Altaf Hussain is expected to address the supporters.
Rangers and police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
Muhajir is a sacred term
Former PPP MNA Abdul Qadir Patel, in a press conference, said that Shah’s statement was misunderstood and despite his apology, MQM was misusing the situation.
“The word ‘muhajir’ is sacred for me,” Patel said, questioning why MQM removed it from their party name and changed it to Muttahida Qaumi Movement instead.
Referring to blasphemy charges levelled against Shah by MQM leaders, Patel said religion should be kept out of politics.
Further, he criticised MQM for ‘shutting off’ news channels in parts of Karachi yesterday.
“To cover their news conferences held last night and their rally today, they forced you [cable operators] to shut transmission.”