In an apparent damage control move, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chairman Altaf Hussain on Monday denied making any demand for separation of Karachi from the rest of Pakistan.
In a policy statement, Altaf said those hurling accusation in connection with his Sunday’s statement should view it in a proper context by obtaining its audio CD.
Addressing his party leaders and workers on Sunday, Altaf Hussain had said: “If the establishment doesn’t accept the MQM’s mandate, it should go ahead and detach it from the rest of the country.”
He had said, “Instead of abusing Karachi and its people, separate Karachi from Pakistan” and warned the ‘establishment’ that they were playing with fire. “If you don’t stop playing with fire, it would burn down entire Pakistan,” he said, then hastened to add that he was not issuing any threats to anyone.
The MQM chief had dared anyone who was accusing his party of rigging the elections to come up with evidence and warned that if opposition was not stopped, he would unleash his party supporters. “How can I control them and for how long,” he had asked.
In Monday’s statement, Altaf paid tributes to the staff of Election Commission of Pakistan and its chief Fakhruddin G Ebrahim for successful conduct of general elections in the country.
On Sunday, Altaf had warned the ECP to reach a decision with honesty or else they would not be able to find any shelter.
Altaf also urged the protesting supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to avoid creating further complications for the country by staging demonstrations on streets.
“Those who have any grievances should adopt legal means to register their protest,” he said.