‘Namaloom afraad’ can’t keep PTI, MQM apart

• Khan criticises MQM chief after PTI, MQM workers clash at Jinnah Ground, says politics of gun basic difference with Altaf, vows to turn Karachi into city of peace
• MQM welcomes Khan in Azizabad, gathers gifts but PTI chief leaves venue without attending reception

Despite a violent clash between activists of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on an occasion, PTI Chairman Imran Khan met little resistance Thursday as his convoy roved through MQM’s political strongholds in Karachi; Karimabad, Mukka Chowk and Aisha Manzil, for NA-246 electioneering.

After the PTI chief concluded his much-hyped rally at Jinnah Ground and left with a vow to return Karachi to its status of ‘the city of lights’, he also instructed his party workers not to indulge in any clash or violence, after a scuffle broke out between workers of the PTI and MQM.

Chaotic scenes were seen at Jinnah Ground as PTI and MQM workers chanted slogans against each other. Charged workers of the two rival parties freely pelted stones and used sticks to beat their opponents. Police acted swiftly to control the situation to prevent any untoward incident.

While it is not clear what triggered the clash, leaders of both parties attempted to defuse the situation with PTI Sindh President Nadir Leghari denying that the rally was retreating.

KHAN WELCOMED:

Earlier, on his arrival in Azizabad with his wife Reham Khan, senior MQM leaders including Farooq Sattar, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Haider Abbas Rizvi and Kunwar Naveed Jamil, greeted Khan and welcomed him to Jinnah Ground.

“We are thankful to Imran Khan for coming to the martyrs’ memorial and paying his respects. I hope this mutual feeling of tolerance will continue as it will strengthen democracy,” Sattar said, adding that the two parties should not allow extremists to benefit from political rivalry.

MQM officials said they had prepared gifts for the PTI chairman and his wife– a Shalwar Kameez suit for Imran and a set of gold jewellery for Reham along with a bouquet of flowers. However, Khan left shortly for Karimabad after offering Fateha at Jinnah Ground, with the MQM unable to present the gifts to the PTI chairman and his wife.

MISCREANTS AGAIN?

Speaking about the clash, MQM’s Farooq Sattar and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui told reporters that no untoward incident had taken place.

“Miscreants might have been involved in the clash. Both parties are keeping an eye on miscreants who can take advantage of the situation here. We organised a reception for Imran Khan as a goodwill gesture on directives of Altaf Hussain and we are making our efforts to continue the atmosphere of harmony,” Sattar said, adding that MQM supporters would uphold the precedence set by Altaf Hussain and Imran Khan.

Speaking on the issue, PTI leader Jahangir Tareen said that only a minute after they left the venue, MQM supporters attacked PTI workers. “This is really unfortunate. MQM is getting exposed again. Our workers have been injured in the attack.”

IS THIS YOUR IDEA OF WELCOME?

Imran Khan said MQM was following the policy of duplicity because on the one hand he was invited and promised a warm welcome while his party workers were beaten up as soon as he left Jinnah Ground.

“What kind of welcome did you (Altaf Hussain) give us? When we left the venue, your people beat ours with sticks. PTI is a peaceful party. We protested for 126 days and not one bulb was broken,” he said while addressing workers from the roof of his vehicle in Karimabad. He added that they will not fight fire with fire.

“A judicial commission has been formed and 2015 will be the year for elections. A Naya Pakistan and a Naya Karachi will be made. We will bring a new culture and way of thinking to Karachi. Karachi will elevate Pakistan and investment will come in from Dubai,” he said.

Khan said that his basic disagreement with MQM chief was the politics of gun. He said that he wanted to end the differences between all the people living in Karachi. He said that the politics of Karachi was being run on ethnic lines which would be detrimental to the national harmony.

Khan said whatever happened should not be repeated in the future. He made it clear that it is a defining moment and people are tired of the present state of affairs in Karachi. He asked MQM to distance itself from those creating fear by carrying weapons.

Referring to the public gathering scheduled ahead of the NA-246 by-election, Khan said that April 19 rally in Karachi will be “historic”.

The planned route for the PTI chairman’s rally had been put under strict security by the police, with bomb disposal squad having swept the area for explosives. Entry roads had also been sealed with buses and trucks blocking exits.

Shops remained closed in Karimabad’s mobile market, Meena Bazaar and Faisal Bazaar, with police saying that they had been shut down due to security concerns.

Speaking to reporters earlier during the day before leaving Karsaz where he was staying, Khan said he welcomed MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s recent statement. “Altaf Hussain has created an atmosphere of peace with his statement,” he said, adding that it would be beneficial for Pakistan if the by-poll is held in a positive environment.

The PTI is campaigning in Karachi to gain support for its candidate Imran Ismail who is set to contest elections on April 23 from MQM stronghold Azizabad.

In what appears to be an attempt to lower the political temperature in the city, Altaf Hussain had said his party will welcome Imran in Karachi after bitter exchanges between the two in recent weeks.