JI says MQM indulged in worst kind of rigging: Local body by elections
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, March 29: The deputy chief of Jamaat-i-Islami, senator Ghafoor Ahmed, said on Monday that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement indulged in worst kind of rigging in Sunday's local body byelections.
Speaking at a news conference alongwith activists of Al- Khidmat, who were allegedly injured in Sunday's rowdyism, he alleged that the Muttahida had "set a history of rigging, bogus-voting, terrorism, violence against political opponents and hooliganism during Sunday's local government by-elections".
"On Sunday, it appeared that there was nothing like rule of law and the city was in the control of hoodlums," he said, alleging that Gen Musharraf had handed over urban areas of the province to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, for achieving his personal agenda.
The Al-Khidmat and Awam Dost group candidates, who boycotted Sunday's byelections in protest against terrorism, were also present in the press conference.
Prof Ghafoor alleged that Gen Musharraf was playing a dangerous game by abetting Muttahida's strong arm tactics and claimed it was very dangerous for the city and the province.
He alleged that despite complaints of kidnapping and torture of activists by the MQM workers, no action was taken by the police or the Election Commission. He said Corps Commander Karachi and other civil and military officials, police and Election Commission were timely informed about the alleged use of public resources by the Muttahida in byelections, and kidnapping of political opponents and hooliganism, but they took no action.
He alleged that Muttahida's activists tortured political opponents, including candidates of Al-Khidmat and Awam Dost panels, occupied polling stations and booths, threw polling agents out of these places and these activities were carried out under the supervision of Sindh ministers and advisors.
Police and rangers were present at every nook and corner, but they remained a silent spectator, he added. He claimed that ministers, advisors and other officials were involved in this unlawful activity.
He alleged that the MQM was the only party which had supported Wana operation and in lieu of that it wanted to have a free hand and full control of the local body system.
Some of the injured activists who were present there also narrated their ordeal. One of them was Zohra Begum from Paposhnagar who alleged that activists of MQM beat her up and threatened to kill her son. She alleged that police took no notice of her complaint.
Other persons also narrated their ordeal. JI Karachi chief Dr. Merajul Huda Siddiqui, MMA MPAs Nasarullah Shajee, Younus Barai and others were also present.
