15 May 2004	Saturday	24 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, May 14: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has alleged that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal has been given a free hand in Karachi by certain 'invisible and influential powers' as a reward for not opposing the military operation in Wana.

Talking to Dawn on Friday, MQM MNA Kanwar Khalid Younus alleged that despite the fact that the MMA activists had set on fire several vehicles in the city during the strike called by the MMA Friday, no FIR was registered against any member of the MMA.

He pointed out that Jamaat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed visited several localities in the city with a caravan delivering speeches and inciting people on the 'ethnic' basis. Giving an example, he said soon after his (Qazi's) speech in North Nazimabad, people started attacking the passers-by.

Similarly, he said, in his Friday sermon at a mosque in Rashidabad, Qazi sahib ordered the people to set the houses of opponents on fire.

He regretted that federal and provincial governments were watching all this as silent spectators and said: "This inaction on the part of the authorities is very meaningful".

Mr Younus criticized the election commission for staying the announcement of final results of the by-polls in Karachi. He said the EC had taken too swift an action on the MMA complaint which further strengthened the MQM's perception that the religious elements enjoyed some 'invisible' support.

He alleged that Sanghar DPO Fateh Sher misbehaved with Communications Minister Babar Ghouri when the minister visited the city to witness election activities.

About the MQM's future strategy, the MNA said at the moment the party was trying to defuse the tense situation in Karachi.