KARACHI, Dec 4: The Mohajir Qaumi Movement filed a petition on Wednesday in the Sindh High Court praying to direct the prime minister and others to act justly, not arbitrarily against the MQM in violation of article 25 of the constitution.
The petitioner, MQM MNA Mahmood Ahmed Qureshi, submitted that the constitution provided equal protection of law to all citizens. After withdrawal of support by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to the prime minister, he (prime minister) illegally supported the latter, he submitted.
He submitted that his party had seats in the National and Sindh assemblies, which was evidence that the people supported them and were satisfied with their performance.
He contended that every citizen had the right to live and settle in any part of Pakistan, and prayed the court to declare that there were no “no-go” areas in Karachi.
He stated there was no reason or justification to appease the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for its illegal occupation and for sealing of Bait-ul-Hamza, the headquarters of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement.
He prayed the court to direct the respondents to reopen the MQM’s offices at different places and restrain them from abusing their authority to interfere in political activities of the petitioner.
Sohail Hameed, Abid Husain and Khurram Maqsood, advocates, filed the petition on behalf of Mr Qureshi.-
CRACKDOWN CRITICIZED: Wives of leaders of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement criticized on Wednesday the government for what they alleged initiating illegal operation against workers of their party in Karachi to appease the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
Talking to newsmen at the Sindh High Court after filing petitions challenging “the operation” against the MQM, wives of Afaq Ahmed, the chairman of the MQM, Amir Khan, the party general secretary, and Younus Khan, the vice chairman of the party, they also alleged that police and Rangers picked up even those sitting at Aitekaf in mosques and shifted them to undisclosed places.
“Law-enforcement agencies are violating the sanctity of Ramazan and they are ruining the joys of Eid for hundreds of people living in Landhi-Korangi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony and other areas,” they said.
They claimed that the unconditional support given by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to the government was meant only to mislead the people.
They claimed that the Muttahida had established “no-go” areas in the former district central of Karachi.
The government should take action against the “no-go” areas controlled by the Muttahida also and constitute a judicial commission to inquire into the affair, they said.—PPI
