Altaf Hussain-led Muttaheda Qaumi Movement (MQM), commonly known as a MQM-London, has decided to field women for their Istehkaam-e-Pakistan rally following the arrest of its workers by the Sindh Rangers, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Sources privy to the development told this scribe that the party has mobilized its female workers to make its January 21 rally successful. Sources maintained that the Altaf Hussain-led MQM has issued directives to the party’s women wing to form teams and send them to every nook and corner of the city to mobilize masses for their participation in the Istehkaam-e-Pakistan rally.
MQM-London earlier announced a public rally in collaboration with the Pakistan Qaumi Movement (PQM) from Aysha Manzil to Mazar-e-Quaid on January 21.
As per details, MQM-London has decided to bring women to the fore as preparations are finalised for the rally following reports of arrest of workers and leaders by federal forces. Sources said that the directives came from London and that women associated with MQM-London were ordered to take administrative control of the rally into their hands.
A Pakistan-based MQM-London leader, who wished not to be named to avoid arrest, told this scribe that MQM Pakistan Convener Dr Farooq Sattar has handed the authorities a list of workers and leaders associated with the MQM-London, for their arrest.
“On identification by Dr Farooq Sattar, the paramilitary force is arresting leaders and workers of MQM-London to make the Istehkaam-e-Pakistan rally a failed show of power,” he claimed. “Keeping this situation in view, the women’s wing has been tasked to mobilize the masses for their participation.”
When approached for comments on these allegations, a Sindh Rangers spokesperson requested that this scribe send the question through Whatsapp, but had not replied by the time this report was filed.
In a statement, MQM-London Convener Dr Nadeem Nusrat claimed that over two dozen party leaders and workers have been arrested by the Rangers over the last two days. He accused the government of discrimination and maintained that efforts were being made to stop people from participating in the Istehkam-e-Pakistan rally.
