MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi says they will file a defamation suit against PTI. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD SAQIB/EXPRESS
Addressing a press conference, he further censured the MQM chief and workers for leaving the country. Moreover, the PTI set up its election camp yet again in Karimabad on Tuesday. The NA-246 constituency is hustling and bustling due to the by-election scheduled for April 23. The PTI had earlier set up its camp in the area which had allegedly been taken down by the workers of the MQM.
Party leaders announced that PTI chairperson Imran Khan will visit Karachi on April 9. "Khan will spend the whole day in the constituency," announced the PTI candidate for the by-election, Imran Ismail. A public gathering will be held by the party on April 19.
Party leaders alleged that MQM workers are forcibly collecting CNICs from the residents of Azizabad, Karimabad and Hussainabad. "MQM workers are taking CNICs [from the people of the constituency] and threatening them against voting for the PTI," alleged Ismail.
He said that MQM workers cannot use people for their politics. "Law enforcers will be present in the area on the polling day," he said.
PTI Karachi chapter head Ali Zaidi said that MQM workers damaged their election camp and shifted the blame on innocent residents. "Put as many flags as you want," he said. "The residents will vote for the bat on the election day."
He went on to ask the MQM yet again that why criminals were found from Nine Zero during the raid.
MQM responds
Responding to Vawda's demands, MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi said that the MQM will file a defamation suit against him.
He went on to censure the PTI. "You need to answer the questions of Javed Hashmi," he pointed out. "You need to tell the public about your stance on your return to the Parliament and you need to answer them about your member, Israrullah Gandapur."
Addressing a press conference at Jinnah Ground, he said that the PTI was not even able to find a polling agent from the area. "How will they be able to garner votes?" he asked.
According to Rizvi, it was clear that the PTI did not want to contest the election but, instead, wanted a way out. "They are behaving like there will be a neck-and-neck fight between the MQM and the PTI," he mocked. "Let me tell them, there is no comparison when it comes to MQM."
Faisal Subzwari is back
MQM leader Faisal Subzwari, who was often sought by the PTI for his absence from the political scene, also addressed the conference. He explained that NA-246 does not only comprise of Azizabad. "Federal B Area and Gharibabad are also part of NA-246, whose people have sacrificed lives for the MQM," he said.
Subzwari was suspended from the party last month for failing to attend one of Hussain's speeches to party workers.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2015.
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