Pushed to a corner? MQM launches ‘movement for separate province’

The MQM will not hold any negotiations with the government and will not return to the assemblies


Rabia Ali August 22, 2015
The MQM will not hold any negotiations with the government and will not return to the assemblies. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI:


Along with the decision to break talks with the government and not withdraw resignations, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has officially announced the launch of its movement for a separate province.


Senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar told The Express Tribune that they have publicly announced a movement for a separate province in lower Sindh early on Saturday. "We are now focusing on getting a separate province and we will start mobilising people."

The MQM will not hold any negotiations with the government and will not return to the assemblies, a press release stated on Saturday.

Last week, the MQM quit the Senate and the National and Sindh assemblies, citing their reservations over the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi. They had claimed that they were being victimised.

However, a few days later, the party agreed to talks with the government-appointed mediator, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who came to Nine Zero on Tuesday. On Rehman's invitation, the party agreed to hold further talks with the government in Islamabad. However, the premier's visit to Karachi on Thursday and the cold shoulder he extended to the MQM made its leaders rethink their decision. "We have refused any talks. There will be no talks. The prime minister did not utter a single word regarding the MQM's issues and reservations, and we feel the government is not serious."

The MQM is now focusing on a separate province but,  Sattar admitted, the party has yet to think of a demarcation. It will consist of lower Sindh and constitute urban parts of the province, he added.

MQM Rabita Committee member Aminul Haque said that they will hold consultations with the people of Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Nawabashah. "The party supports formation of other provinces also, such as the Hazara province," he said. The party also held a press conference on Saturday where former senator Farogh Naseem that the Constitution has space for formation of a new province.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2015.

COMMENTS (78)

myth buster | 8 years ago | Reply @maulana diesel: whats wrong with new province in fact it becomes stronger bridge b/t country and people. People feel empowered, which is most important factor to run a democracy, where even a common man thinks he has a say in decision making of country. I want to give example of India (I know these are not good times) , at time of Independence, there were only 14 states and 6 UTs but now we have 29 states and 7 UT. Recent one was Telangana which broke away from Andhra Pradesh in 2014 , because Telangana Guys did like Beaches. if you want know why its Gud to Have many states watch this video from EIC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdstYkuQrgw
Nero | 8 years ago | Reply The most ironic thing about the comments is how many commentators are arguing why "urdu speaking" population does not form a nation. If "religion" can be the basis for a "nation", the supposed bed rock of Pakistani nation, then language is an even stronger basis. Language is fundamental vehicle of culture and, in most cases, ethnicity. You can change religion every hour, but not your mother tongue.
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