Tit-for-tat: PPP 'destroyed' Karachi, MQM claims

Published October 19, 2014
MQM leaders Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri, and Abdul Rasheed Godil are seen addressing a press conference.   — File photo by PPI
MQM leaders Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri, and Abdul Rasheed Godil are seen addressing a press conference. — File photo by PPI

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Sunday condemned remarks made yesterday by Pakistan People Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari against party chief Altaf Hussain.

Speaking at a mammoth rally at Bagh-i-Jinnah, near the mausoleum of the Quaid-i-Azam in Karachi, the PPP Chairman spoke against Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief `Uncle Altaf’. Bilawal had said that the MQM chief uttered as he pleased and wished.

In response today, the MQM questioned what the PPP had achieved in Sindh during the past 43 years.

In a statement issued by the MQM’s Central Rabita (Coordination) Committee on the party’s website, the PPP was accused of "destroying Karachi"

The statement said that MQM Chief Altaf Hussain had always stood against feudalism and dynastic politics and had remained popular in the hearts of party supporters despite the "conspiracies of his enemies".

It further claimed that the Hussain’s political struggle of 36 years had turned the culture of feudalism and dynastic politics into an insult.

The MQM questioned the PPP’s achievements in Sindh during the past 43 years with regards to education and road infrastructure.

The party also questioned what the PPP had done specifically for Naudero and Larkana during the past 43 years. It alleged that the people of these areas were still living in abject poverty.

The statement claimed that when the MQM received authority and power in Karachi for five years under the Local Government system, it had changed the look of the city.

The MQM further alleged that the PPP after coming into power had not only impeded the city’s progress but caused outright destruction.

The statement asked the PPP, which had sought funds from the federal government under the Karachi Package, about the sum of money its government in Sindh had released for Karachi.

The party claimed that the provincial government was not even prepared to release the salaries of its employees or pay money for the petrol of garbage collection vehicles.

The Rabita Committee statement alleged that the Sindh health department was practically being run by an influential personality belonging to the PPP instead of a minister.

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