- Committee announced to address MQM’s grievances regarding Karachi operation
- MQM leaders highlight ‘illegal detention, extrajudicial killing’ of MQM workers, ban on Altaf Hussain’s speeches and MQM’s media trial
With Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman announcing that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has agreed to review its decision to resign from parliament, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday decided to form a committee to address the party’s grievances regarding the anti-crime operation in Karachi.
Flanked by MQM leader Farooq Sattar, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Pervez Rashid and other senior government and MQM officials, Fazl told journalists that an MQM delegation had detailed its grievances in talks with the government on Monday. He added that the premier heard all their reservations and assured the party that they will be dealt with swiftly through the committee which will be formed Tuesday (today).
The JUI-F chief said the MQM welcomed the prime minister’s initiative, agreeing to reconsider its decision to resign from the National Assembly, Senate and the Sindh Assembly. He added that the committee will be mandated to record in detail the grievances presented by the MQM and will find ways in which these can be dealt with.
Further modalities, including the timeframe, will be finalised as the committee, comprising government lawmakers and other political parties, is formed.
Talking to reporters on the occasion, MQM leader Farooq Sattar said his party presented a 19-point agenda, highlighting all the different ways MQM was being “discriminated against” in Karachi. He said the issue of illegal detention and extrajudicial killing of MQM workers, ban on Altaf Hussain’s speeches on air and MQM’s media trial were among the salient points raised by his party.
Citing the government’s role in urging JUI-F and MQM to abandon de-seating motions against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had patiently worked for political consensus in the country.
Dar said the government wanted to ensure political stability in the country, which was a pre-requisite for economic stability. He emphasised that the Karachi operation would continue targeting criminal and militant elements, adding that MQM’s concerns will be addressed by the grievances redressal committee.
MQM MEETS PREMIER:
Earlier on Monday, a six-member MQM delegation called on PM Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House.
The MQM delegation, comprising of Fatooq Sattar, Barrister Ali Saif, Kanwar Naveed, Muhammad Rehan Hashmi, Waseem Akhtar and Shabbir Qaimi presented the party’s point of view over the Karachi operation to the prime minister, which included the formation of a monitoring committee to oversee the operation.
Earlier in August, MQM lawmakers had simultaneously submitted their resignations in the National Assembly, Senate and the Sindh Assembly due to reservations over the Rangers-led operation in Karachi.
