Altaf Hussain posters taken down in MQM's Karachi stronghold
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News Desk
Published: August 25, 2016
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MUKKA CHOWK. PHOTO: TWITTER
In the latest of a series of developments, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain’s posters were removed overnight from party strongholds in Karachi,
Express News reported.
MQM ‘breaks off’ from Altaf
Footage showed MQM supremo’s posters torn and lying on the streets in MQM strongholds, including Nine Zero, Mukka chowk and Jinnah ground.
PHOTO: EXPRESS
Watch the video here:
Monday’s rioting by MQM workers and Altaf’s inciteful speech triggered a crackdown leading to the sealing of the party’s headquarters Nine Zero, along with several other offices, in the metropolis and elsewhere in Sindh. At least four treason cases were also registered against Altaf and his senior aides in different police stations of the city.
Unlike the past, Altaf’s speech failed to stir up trouble in Karachi. Instead his senior aides, including Dr Farooq Sattar, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, Nasreen Jalil and Amir Liaquat Hussain, disowned the all-powerful London office of the party and decided to run the party from Pakistan. “Karachi’s citizens thwarted the conspiracy to create a law and order situation,” he said.
PHOTO: EXPRESS
Nisar appreciated the Urdu-speaking community which has rendered sacrifices at the time of creation of Pakistan. “No one will support MQM chief in chanting slogans against Pakistan,” he added.
Endorsing Sattar: MQM chief hands over power to Rabita Committee
The interior minister said the federal and Sindh governments have reiterated their resolve that nobody would be allowed to ignite fire of hatred and spread terrorism in any form in the city. “Any activity which causes threat to life, liberty, public and private property, business activities and day-to-day life will be dealt with an iron hand,” he said.
Nisar said the government has launched a ‘safe city project’ in consultation with defence and security experts in Islamabad, and it would be replicated in Karachi. “The Centre will support the Sindh government in dealing with terrorism and crime in Karachi,” he said, adding that the prime minister would also convene a high-level meeting of the chief ministers in Islamabad where security issues would be discussed.
PHOTO: EXPRESS
Nine Zero sealed after MQM workers attack media house
Asked if the government planned to ban the MQM, he said, “It is provincial government’s mandate. If the provincial government recommends a ban, the federal government and its agencies will implement it.”
When quizzed about Tuesday’s presser of Dr Farooq Sattar which was construed as breaking away of the MQM from its London office, the interior minister said: “You will soon learn whether or not the MQM has been divided.” Earlier, the law and order situation in the city was deliberated on in a meeting held at the CM House attended by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, Nisar along with CM’s Advisor on Law Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Siddique Memon, DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar, IG Sindh AD Khwaja and other senior officers.
The meeting observed that the incidents of August 22 were part of a pre-planned move to hijack peace in the city. Nisar appreciated that timely move by the `young and energetic’ chief minister managed to nip the nefarious designs of ‘outlaws and enemies of Pakistan’ in the bud.
Shah disclosed that FIR of the incident had been registered and that most of the people who targeted vehicles or ransacked offices of ARY TV stations had been identified. The Sindh governor said there should be a coordinated effort between federal and provincial government for sustainable peace.