MQM demands to impose emergency in Sindh

Party’s deputy parliamentary leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan said the incumbent government had failed to deliver

KARACHI:

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has demanded to impose an ‘emergency’ in Sindh in view of the worsening law and order situation.

Speaking to the media outside the Sindh Assembly on Monday, the party’s deputy parliamentary leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan said, “The incumbent government has failed to deliver. Since day one, our leadership has been raising concern about the growing trend of extremism in the province.”  He added that the people in power had always criticised them, rather than heeding their concerns.

“The situation has now become critical and an emergency must be imposed in the province without any delay,” he said, suggesting to extend the targeted operation against terrorists in other districts of Sindh. “If needed, the provincial government should seek help from the armed forces and Rangers to deal with the law and order situation.

The demand did not go down too well with the provincial government, with information minister Sharjeel Memon terming it ‘undemocratic’. “There is no need to impose any emergency in Sindh. The whole country is facing this problem and we are all united against terrorism.” Memon said that schools, universities, hospitals, mosques, temples, imambargahs and important government installations were under constant threat and the government was making efforts to cope with the situation.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2015.