NA to echo with MQM’s woes today

The National Assembly begins its session today (Monday) afternoon which is likely to be a stormy one as the Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) has moved an adjournment motion to discuss the Rangers operation at its headquarters Nine Zero early on Wednesday last.

According to parliamentary sources, the MQM will not only press for a thorough debate on the operation but would also stage walkouts to get maximum media coverage. For this purpose the MQM has decided to contact the leader of the opposition Syed Khursheed Shah to get support of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

MQM chief Altaf Hussain has directed parliamentary leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi and Dr Farooq Sattar to ensure that all party members attend the assembly session and ensure that their voice was heard.

Moreover, interior minister will take parliament into confidence today on the Karachi operation especially on the emerging situation in the wake of the raid on the MQM headquarters Nine-Zero.

Sources said that the interior minister will brief the National Assembly and the parliamentary committee on internal affairs on the Rangers’ raid at Nine-Zero in the light of the National Action Plan to take all political forces on board to garner support for the ongoing operation in Karachi.

Earlier taking strong exception to the MQM leadership’s tirade against the Rangers and the army, Khan had said that the language they use against the national institutions have touched new lows.

In the same breath, he had advised the MQM leadership to desist from defaming the national institutions saying that such language is never used against own army nowhere in the world.

The sources said that the interior minister will also inform the lower house of the parliament on the latest arrests in Karachi besides sharing details and updates on the Nine-Zero operation.

The source also said that the MQM plans to stage a walkout from the parliament on Monday to lodge protest against the raid on its headquarters.