Speaking at a press conference, he said it would be unjust for anyone to consider themselves equal to those who migrated with the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He said his party respects every ethnic community living in the country.
“We would have respected you, even if you had not changed the name of your party from Mohajir Qaumi Movement to Muttahida Qaumi Movement” he said.
Aitzaz said ‘Mohajirs’ who had settled in Punjab are Punjabi today but it was unfortunate that the MQM was still using ‘Mohajir card’ for political gains.
MQM’s response
Addressing a press conference, the MQM leader Farooq Sattar said Aitzaz Ahsan’s comments were also biased against ‘Mohajirs’.
“We used to consider him a neutral person, but his recent statement in which he criticised our protest and movement and called it a political gimmick is totally wrong,” he said, adding that it had also saddened ‘Mohajirs’.
He, however, reiterated the MQM’s resolve to launch movement for the creation of 22 administrative units in Pakistan after Muharram.
Meanwhile, the MQM leaders are likely to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today (Tuesday) in order to express their concern over Shah’s remarks.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2014.
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