- MQM’s Sattar terms attack on Godil a ‘cowardly attempt to sabotage dialogue process’ as JUI-F’s Fazl is hopeful of breakthrough in the next round of talks to be held in Islamabad
Terming the attack on its member of the National Assembly, Rashid Godil, a “conspiracy” to sabotage the Fazlur Rehman mediated talks between the government and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the party has however hinted that it is ready to show flexibility over its decision of resigning from the assemblies.
Addressing a joint press conference with Fazl, chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam after talks were disrupted due to the murderous attack on Godil, MQM senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar said, “We took an extreme step and now the JUI-F chief has told us to reconsider it.” He added that the party would take the dialogue process forward and the next round of talks will be held in Islamabad.
“Altaf Hussain and the senior MQM leadership have reposed trust in the JUI-F chief and we thank him for his visit. We will consider his suggestions as he has come to Nine Zero as a mediator and we respect him,” Sattar said.
He claimed that his party lawmakers resigned over violation of constitutional, legal and human rights and the MQM would only take the resignations back after these issues are addressed.
The MQM leader said that Rehman reached Nine-Zero as a mediator between government and MQM. He said that JUI-F chief was talking to MQM chief Altaf Hussain via satellite link when they received the news of the terror attack on Godil.
All parliamentary parties including opposition are represented by Fazlur Rehman as a mediator, he said, adding that the resignations issue could be resolved however, “the situation took a sudden turn” as they learnt about the news.
The MQM leader hoped that the Sindh Police and security agencies would shoulder their responsibilities and nab the culprits behind the attack. Sattar said that MQM chief has endorsed continuation of operation in Karachi and it should target criminals indiscriminately.
Earlier, upon his arrival at the party headquarters, the MQM activists showered the JUI-F chief with rose petals and chanted slogans to welcome him; however, the festivities were short-lived as news of an attack on MQM MNA Rashid Gondil broke.
However, talks continued despite the attack.
FAZL IN GRATITUDE AND HOPE:
While addressing reporters, Fazl condemned the attack on Godil. He said that he agrees with Sattar over likelihood of this incident as act to sabotage talks. Everyone is praying for Godil, he added.
Rehman thanked MQM chief Altaf Hussain and his party members for displaying a positive attitude towards the dialogue process. “Despite the unfortunate terror incident, I did not observe any change in the positive attitude of the MQM leadership,” Fazl said.
Terming the attack on Godil a cowardly attempt to sabotage the dialogue process, the JUI-F chief condemned the attack and prayed for the life of the injured parliamentary leader of the MQM.
“I have been given a mandate from the government as well as the opposition,” Fazl said, adding that like every other dialogue process, this will also gradually move forward.
Fazl, during his first ever visit to the MQM’s party headquarters, aimed to woo MQM parliamentarians back to the assemblies after party lawmakers had announced to submit their resignations over the party’s reservations on the Rangers operations in Karachi.
Upon his arrival, Fazl was received by senior MQM leaders Nasreen Jalil, Farooq Sattar, Syed Sardar Ahmed, Rauf Siddiqui, Waseem Akhtar and others.
Further, prominent party leader Haider Abbas Rizvi, who had been out of the party politics for the last few days, was also seen at the party headquarters.
Earlier, families of the missing party workers also arrived at Nine Zero to meet the Fazl and convey their concerns, report said.