HYDERABAD: Claiming that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) wanted more ministries, induction of some secretaries of its choice, more development funds and appointment of some officials recommended by the party, Sindh Minister for Prisons Manzoor Hussain Wassan said on Saturday that the MQM would rejoin the provincial government as some of its demands were going to be met.

However, it would take some time, the minister said while speaking to journalists at the passing-out parade held at Nara Jail on the completion of a training course by 150 new jail recruits.

Mr Wassan expressed his dismay over MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s demand for a ‘Mohajir province’ and said despite declaring Sindh his motherland, Mr Hussain was seeking division of the province which was beyond comprehension.

“The MQM remained in power since 1988 as it had been part of the PML-N and PPP governments and the dispensation during [former president] Pervez Musharraf. I am sure, it will rejoin the PPP government after getting some of its demands met”, the minister said.

He was of the view that the MQM had raised the issue of a separate province to keep its vote bank intact amid remarkable political gains by the PPP and PTI in the recent past. If the MQM demand for a separate province was considered, the Afghans living in Karachi could also seek their own province, he argued.

Meanwhile, political tension gripped parts of Hyderabad when some miscreants using colour spray imprinted the word ‘Mohajir’ on a poster of Benazir Bhutto affixed on a wall in the Phulelli area and their rivals tore off some posters carrying Altaf Hussain’s portrait apparently in reaction.

Angry PPP activists held a protest on the Phulelli bridge and burnt tyres to block the thoroughfare which led to a severe gridlock. They raised slogans against those backing the demand of a Mohajir province and indulging in the unethical act of defacing Ms Bhutto’s posters with a provocative inscription. They demanded action against the miscreants.

Some PPP workers lodged a case against unknown miscreants at the Pinyari police station. A senior party activist, Amanullah Siyal, visited the area and persuaded the workers to end their protest.

The main Phulelli bazaar did not open in the morning due to the political tension but shops in the market started opening in the evening. Life in the area, however, remained paralysed due to the day-long protest.

At Channel Mori, a group of activists blocked Tandojam-Mirpurkhas road causing gridlock on it and several other roads.

They raised slogans against the anti-PPP miscreants and demanded action against them. Elders of the area on the request of Tando Yousuf SHO Riaz Malik intervened into the matter and persuaded the protesters to clear the roads.

In the afternoon, groups of miscreants tore off MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s posters in Sakhi Pir, Liaquat Colony and Hirabad.

Some of them also fired into the area causing closure of shops in the Market Tower, Timber Market, Hirabad and other commercial areas. The situation returned to normal in the evening.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2014