A file photo of PTI leader Naeemul Haque. PHOTO: PTI
“PTI rejects this committee,” said party’s information secretary Naeemul Haq in a statement on Sunday. “With the representation of MQM, the committee would no longer remain impartial,” he said, adding the move would lead to ‘political blackmailing.’
The PTI leader termed the move “an attempt to give MQM access to secret information and aspects of the ongoing operation against criminals as secretary Ministry of Interior would be officiating as secretary of the committee.”
Read: Govt forms panel to redress MQM’s grievances
Members of the MQM in August had resigned from assemblies and the Senate.
On October 9, government had agreed to form the committee, which came into being on Saturday. Finance minister Ishaq Dar from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
According to the MoU, the five-member committee will start functioning from Monday, and formulate its rules of procedure and terms of reference within five days.
As per the agreement, the government was to nominate the committee and issue an official notification while the MQM lawmakers were to withdraw their resignations from parliament.
Read: Karachi operation: MQM welcomes monitoring committee
The panel comprised the interior secretary, two members nominated by the MQM and two members nominated by the government.
The members include Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid, Justice (retd) Khalilur Rehman, Justice (retd) Ajmal Mian and Barrister Farogh Nasim.
After making its rules of procedure, the committee will start functioning within 15 days.
Any person having any complaints against law enforcement agencies can submit their complaints in writing to the committee that will then investigate and give its report to the government within 90 days.
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