KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Dr Farooq Sattar has said that his party will have no option but to take to the streets if crackdown on protesters continues in Islamabad.

Talking to reporters at the MQM headquarters here on Sunday, he said the MQM and its chief Altaf Hussain tried to resolve the current crisis through dialogue. But the situation worsened after police acted against demonstrators.

He said that by using force the government had ruined MQM efforts to end the crisis peacefully.

He asked the government to stop using state power against the protesters who he said were exercising their constitutional and legal right. “We are already under immense pressure and we would be compelled to take to the road if the government action against protesters continues.”

Dr Sattar said that Mr Hussain and the MQM had been monitoring the situation and would soon announce their course of action.

Meanwhile, on Mr Hussain’s appeal the MQM observed a ‘day of mourning’ in protest against the action taken against protesters in Islamabad by the Punjab police.

A gathering at the Lal Qila ground near the party’s headquarters which was attended by MQM leaders and workers wearing black armbands demonstrated solidarity with the victims of the police action.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2014