The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has postponed its controversial nationwide referendum on the question “Taliban or Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan”, which was scheduled to be held on November 8.
The referendum, which asks the Pakistanis to choose between the Taliban’s way of life or the vision of the father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, will now be held on November 14, according to a statement issued by the MQM’s Coordination Committee.
Earlier on Sunday, MQM Deputy Convener Farooq Sattar called the threat of religious extremism the biggest challenge faced by the country, and announced to hold the abovementioned referendum. Speaking at a press conference at the Lal Qila Ground, Sattar said, “It’s a now-or-never decision which we have to take,” he said.
Sattar said that extremists were targeting mosques, Imam bargahs, shrines and schools. Also that they were attacking defence installations and killing the personnel of police, Rangers, FC, and armed forces.
Meanwhile, a constitutional petition was filed in the Sindh High Court (SHC) against the MQM’s referendum. Petitioner Haji Gul Ahmed pleaded that holding referendums on sensitive issues was the sole prerogative of the prime minister with parliament’s approval. Any political party or individual cannot hold such referendums, he added.
MQM postpones referendum on Pakistan question
