War of words: MQM, JI play the blame game

MQM spokesperson says JI has no manifesto for NA-246, relying on provocation instead

KARACHI: As the NA-246 by-elections inch closer, the war of words between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) is heating up.

Lashing out at JI, an MQM spokesperson alleged that the party had no manifesto to present to the residents of the constituency and was therefore making provocative speeches instead. Addressing a procession at Sharae Pakistan on Sunday, JI ameer Sirajul Haq had claimed that it was in MQM's interest to withdraw its candidate for the by-polls. "The people of the city had supported the MQM and [MQM chief] Altaf Hussain but received nothing in return except extortion, target killings and terrorism, which have destroyed the city's peace," he said. "MQM has been in power since 1984 but has failed to deliver." He also blamed the party for being responsible for the destruction of Karachi's infrastructure and education, healthcare and transport sectors.

In response, an MQM spokesperson accused JI of trying to spread violence and vandalism to create chaos in the constituency, frightening the residents. "MQM workers strictly follow Altaf’s directives and everyone knows that his philosophy is peace and tolerance for all the other political parties," he said, adding that people had not forgotten JI's role in spreading 'Kalashnikov culture' in the name of jihad throughout the country.

"They initiated violence in national universities," the spokesperson claimed, pointing out that the key accused of the 9/11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, was arrested from a JI leader's residence. "Before MQM's conception, JI ruled over Karachi for nearly four decades alone but could not provide any remedy for the deprivations of the city's residents," he added.

Meanwhile, Altaf, while addressing a rally at Jinnah Ground on Sunday, said that his rivals had been asking the residents of Karachi what he had given them in return for their votes during the last two decades. "I gave them respect and the courage to fight for their rights," he declared, adding that before MQM's emergence, everyone had trampled over the rights of Muhajirs. "Where were these so-called sympathisers when Muhajirs were being insulted?"

Jafria Alliance announces support for MQM

The Jafria Alliance has offered its full support to the MQM candidate for NA-246, Kanwar Naveed, appealing to people to vote for him.

Naveed, along with MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi, met Allama Talib Jauhari at his residence. Praising MQM's struggle for sectarian harmony and efforts against terrorism, Jauhari assured MQM of his full support in the by-polls.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2015.