KARACHI: Condemning the arrests of its workers, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has said that certain quarters are trying to sabotage its possible dialogue with the federal government.

The party blamed the Sindh Rangers for patronising its rival, Mu hajir Qaumi Movement, better known as MQM-Haqiqi, and to allow its cadre to occupy parts of Landhi at gunpoint.

Also read: Criminals linked to MQM arrested in Karachi's Landhi, Rangers say

Addressing a press conference in Landhi on Friday and later talking to people gathered to celebrate Independence Day at the Jinnah Ground on Friday, senior MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said that the Rangers had raided some party offices in Landhi and took 12 workers of the party into custody on the eve of Independence Day.

He termed the action a plot to destabilise Karachi. “The MQM will not stop celebrating Independence Day for fear of arrests,” he said.

However, he asked the paramilitary force to ponder what message they were sending to MQM on the Independence Day.

The party was being stopped from playing its political role and conspiracies were being hatched to re-impose “anti-MQM forces on the city”, said Dr Sattar, who is the parliamentary party leader of the party in the National Assembly.

“For the last several days, Haqiqi terrorists have been brought to many areas of the city in mobile vans of law-enforcement agencies,” he said, adding: “This had been done in 1992 to crush the MQM but the people had rejected the terrorist elements and continued to support the MQM and its leader Altaf Hussain. This will remain unchanged.”

He said by imposing “terrorists on the city” certain quarters trying to sabotage a possible political dialogue between the MQM and the federal government.

He alleged that at least five localities in the city were being made no-go-areas for MQM workers as well as law abiding citizens.

He said “terrorists” opened fire on MQM camps set up in Landhi, Korangi, Liaquatabad, Lines Area and Pak Colony to stop party workers and people to celebrate Independence Day.

He asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to order an inquiry into the arrests of MQM workers.

Dr Sattar called upon the establishment to clarify its policy towards MQM.

He appealed to Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Corps Commander Lt-Gen Naveed Mukhtar to take notice of “illegal and unconstitutional actions” against MQM.

Dr Sattar was accompanied by other members of the MQM’s coordination committee, including Kahfulwara and Zareen Majid.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2015

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