As political tension between the Muttehida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) continues, walls in the metropolis along all major arteries have been filled up with unethical wall-chalking and abusive language against PTI chief Imran Khan.
Both the parties were at loggerheads after the PTI chief allegedly held MQM chief Altaf Hussain responsible for the murder of PTI leader Zahra Shahid that prompted massive protest demonstrations by the MQM workers and supporters.
The rallies were taken out and demonstrations were staged in major parts of the province condemning the attitude of PTI chief against the leader of another party – MQM.
This is not the first time that the walls of the metropolis were filled up with anti-Imran Khan wall-chalking. The same kind of graffiti was demonstrated when tension between both the parties had surfaced few years back.
The situation is not much different this time round also from that of the previous years. It seems there does not exist any government machinery that can restrain any one from doing such an unethical act.
Interestingly, the Sindh government on April 26, 2013 had promulgated an ordinance prohibiting wall-chalking and graffiti incorporating thereby that the violators of the law may now end up serving up to six months in prison.
On the eve of promulgation of this ordinance, Sindh Law Minister Mehmood Yusuf Mandviwalla had said he expected that the promulgation of Prevention of Defacement of Property Ordinance 2013 would stop this menace of unauthorised wall-chalking in the province and prevent aesthetics of the cities from being ruined by unwanted graffiti.
However, the Sindh PTI spokesperson termed the wall-chalking by the MQM as a losers’ act. He claimed the public mandate had exposed the MQM and now its hatred showed that its political business was about to end.
He said: “They claim to represent the Urdu-speaking class while their disgraceful words are slandering the whole nation together with the well-cultured Urdu-speaking class,” says a press release issued to media on Tuesday.
The spokesperson alleged that the MQM was harassing the people of Karachi through weapons. He said: “They have ruled Karachi for years and asserted themselves as stake holders of the city but now the nation that has arisen for their rights is troubling them.”
He showed astonishment over the dispute between the MQM workers and Rabita Committee on Altaf Hussain’s call. The PTI spokesperson said Imran Khan was a man of principles and the people had voted for the PTI without judging the candidates. He further said: “They should visit the so-called part of their own city – Leyari – before declaring themselves heroes.”
“The cowards are bullying Imran Khan in an attempt to prevent him to visit Karachi. But they should realise the courage of Imran Khan and accept the actual mandate of the Karachiites.”
He also expressed confidence in Imran Khan and said he was the leader who could bring peace to Karachi and eventually all over Pakistan.