Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) on Saturday vowed to reconstruct ‘Baitul Hamza’, the party’s headquarters in Landhi that was razed by the Karachi Building Control Authority in 2003, and reclaim its ‘territories’ allegedly occupied by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) over the late 1990s.
“We have started preparations for come back in our areas and are planning a strategy to recover our occupied territories,” said MQM-H Vice Chairman Shamshad Ghauri in a telephonic interview with Pakistan Today. “The MQM-H would soon regain control of areas previously under its control and reconstruct its headquarters,” he added.
“Although the entire Karachi is our territory, we are initially focusing on reclaiming Malir, Landhi, Korangi, Shah Faisal and Lines Area,” said Ghauri. “Baitul Hamza was destroyed illegally by the KBCA and we have won the case for its reconstruction in the court. Our party is thinking to restart the construction work shortly.
“Our headquarters will be established at the same place where it stood before it was demolished,” Ghauri reiterated.
He said that some unidentified attackers had set fire to the houses of three MQM-H workers in Model Colony and Landhi last night. “The house of Ghulam Mustafa was torched in Landhi. The homes of our workers Maqbol and Aftab were set ablaze in Model Colony. The attackers also harassed their families and set fire to their houses before them,” alleged Ghauri.
“Around 10 to 12 party workers without prior information to the higher command went to their houses to meet their loved ones but they were welcomed with bullets from unidentified gunmen, when they reached their residences last night. “Does the right to live in Karachi only for those who have apologised to MQM chief Altaf Hussain,” he questioned.
About the release of MQM-H chief Afaq Ahmed, Ghauri informed Pakistan Today that the party had called a meeting of its central committee on Sunday (today) to discuss the matter in detail. “The case is pending before the honourable Sindh High Court (SHC) and it is expected that our chief would be acquitted from the fabricated case after the hearing on July 25 (tomorrow).
“Our party chief was granted bail in one of the cases and when the SHC releases him from the last fabricated case tomorrow, it is expected that he will come out of jail after submitting a surety bond. “However, the MQM-H Central Committee will discuss his come back in today’s meeting,” said the MQM-H vice chairman.
MQM Central Information Committee member Khwaja Izharul Hassan told Pakistan Today that attempts to divide Karachi are regrettable and the government should take action against these anti-state activities. “The MQM is a political party and not a criminal group. I will not comment on the plans of terrorist groups,” he added.
