LAHORE, May 11: Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday criticised the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for planning a rally in Karachi on a day the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) was arriveing in the city for a reception.

Mr Qureshi, the president of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Punjab chapter, said in a statement the MQM had right to hold a rally but it should have reviewed the schedule to avert a likely clash.

The PPP leader said people were convinced that way was being paved for the imposition of martial law or emergency rule in the country.

He said the PPP would not tolerate martial law or emergency as such a step would be dangerous for the country.

About the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) rally to be held in Islamabad today (Saturday), the PPP leader alleged that state resources were being used to ensure a better turnout. He said buses had been seized in large numbers to carry people to the federal capital. All the expenses would be paid from the public purse, the PPP leader alleged.

He said the holding of a rally in Islamabad was a blunder and using public money to make it a successful a plunder.