KARACHI, Sept 15: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has accused the city government of being involved in the election campaign of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, which it claimed was against the election rules.

Addressing a hurriedly-called news conference at the Karachi Press Club, deputy convener of the MQM coordination committee, Dr Farooq Sattar also alleged that the MMA activists had pulled down MQM flags and ransacked some its election offices.

Flanked by another deputy convener, Shoaib Bokhari, and Kunwar Khalid Yunus, Dr Sattar called upon the president and the Chief Election Commissioner to take stock of such acts.

He apprehended that if these incidents continued, someone might take advantage of the situation and create law and order situation and, consequently, sabotage the elections.

With the involvement of official agencies on behalf of the MMA, and registration of over a dozen cases against MQM activists, the commitment of the regime to holding free, fair and transparent elections seems a fallacy, he observed.

Dr Farooq Sattar alleged that MMA activists raised provocative slogans and burnt its flags and election symbol with the blessing of local police and administration.

He alleged that while MQM flags and symbols were being pulled down, no action was being taken against the MMA who, he alleged, had occupied mostly official hoardings to put up its election symbol and message.

He also alleged that even though rangers had captured an unruly activist of MMA for burning the MQM flags and trying to disturb its meeting in North Karachi, the police refused to register any FIR against him.

Altaf hussain: Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain has declared that his party has no confrontation with the armed forces or its intelligence agencies.

Addressing the party’s election rallies in Korangi, Gulbahar and Qasba Colony, simultaneously via telephone on Saturday night, Mr Hussain said that the Establishment and its agencies should work in accordance with the constitution and should not meddle in the affairs of the MQM or any other political party.

He called up the state machinery to desist from conspiring against his party.

Mr Hussain warned if the Establishment did not change its policy of denying Sindh its rights and due share, the people of Sindh would unite other oppressed people and create their own Pakistan free of Waderas and the oppressive forces.

Mr Hussain also lashed out at religious parties which claimed that the MQM’s support graph had gone down. He said that the big and enthusiastic turnout in different places of the city negated the claim. He challenged all political parties to organise such big rallies at more than one place on the same day.

He said that the Establishment had gone all out to wipe out Urdu-speaking people through operations and extra-judicial killings. “But today even non-Urdu-speaking people have joined the MQM’s struggle against oppressive forces and for their just rights”.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that the people in Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, Lines Area, Qasba Colony and Gulbahar were subjected to ruthless state policies for supporting the MQM but they remained steadfast in their resolve.

He said that his workers and supporters were still being arrested and terrorised.

Mr Hussain said that those who dubbed the MQM as a bunch of traitors, should now see the writing on the wall because now it represented people speaking different languages. “It has become a more effective binding force of the people who are determined to change the destiny of Pakistan by emancipating it from oppressive forces.

The MQM chief also dilated on the various issues confronting the people, especially of Karachi and Sindh, besides criticising the “anti-people” economic measures being taken by the government.

The problem of the rising tariff of utilities, unemployment and deteriorating educational standards and transport system also figured in the meeting.

KORANGI RALLY: Nasreen Jaleel, addressing a rally in Korangi, said the MQM had proved by its deeds that “it is neither an ethnic nor an anti-Pakistan party.”