MQM's negotiations with govt failed

KARACHI: (Dunya News) – Negotiations between Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the government over withdrawal of resignations of the former have on Thursday failed. MQM stressed upon permission to open the party offices, continue the social activities and lifting of the ban on MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s speeches. According to MQM leader Dr. Farooq Sattar, none of the three points was agreed upon by the government, reported Dunya News.

Talking to media today, Dr. Farooq Sattar said that the government’s attitude is non-serious. He said that none of the points raised by the MQM was accepted and thus the party has opted out of the negotiations. “Government is not ready to accept even our basic demands. It is useless to carry on with the negotiations”, he said.

Sattar said that MQM members have tendered their resignations and now it is up to the government what it wants to do. He said that the Jamiat Ulema Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazl ur-Rehman has been informed of the facts because he had decided the terms of conditions of the negotiations with the MQM. “The respect for Maulana Fazl will remain the same. However, we believe that Maulana should have attended the negotiations yesterday”, said the MQM leader.

The MQM leader said that permanent elimination of crime from Karachi is MQM’s demand too but the workers who haven’t violated the law should not be arrested. He said that MQM is being pushed to the wall. “It seems as if worst form of dictatorship has been implemented in the name of democracy”, he added.

“It is Prime Minister’s duty to address our concerns. We had told the PM that if the ‘senior officials’ of the state institutions need to be enlightened on the issue then they must be”, said Sattar. He said that MQM’s constitutional rights are being violated. “At least the PM should tell us according to which article of the constitution, the ban on Altaf Hussain’s speeches has been implemented”, said the MQM leader.