MQM holds 'peaceful' demonstrations on Karachi roads
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KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Tuesday held what they termed "peaceful demonstrations" against the media blackout on party chief Altaf Hussain's statements and images following a Lahore High Court order.
The demonstration was scheduled at the following locations from 3pm to 6pm, said a statement on the party's website.
- Babar Market, Landhi
- Chiniot Hospital, Korangi
- Star Gate, Sharea Faisal
- Johar Mor, Gulistan-i-Johar
- Hassan Square, Gulshan-i-Iqbal
- Numaish Chowrangi, MA Jinnah Road
- Two Swords, Clifton
- Regal Chowk, Saddar
- Five Star Chowrangi, North Nazimabad
- Liaquatabad No. 10 under Flyover
While traffic jams were expected, the situation on Karachi's roads remained under control with no reports of major traffic congestions due to the protest.
MQM legislators staged a walkout from the Sindh Assembly session on Monday over the speaker’s refusal to allow them to table a resolution demanding the federal government lift the ban on the telecast of Altaf Hussain’s statements and speeches.
Muhammad Hussain Khan of the MQM, who sought permission to move a motion for the resolution in the assembly, warned during the session that millions of Altaf followers in Karachi had started staging demonstrations and the protest would spread to other cities as well, followed by rallies and strikes if the ban was not lifted.
Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, however, said, “The issue is sub judice. If taken up it will create problems.”
The Lahore High Court on Sept 7, 2015, ordered the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and the Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) to ensure a complete blackout of all activities of MQM chief Altaf Hussain in both electronic and print media after petitions filed with the court sought a ban on the MQM supremo's speeches for his alleged remarks against state institutions, including the army and Rangers.
The petitioners were of the view that Altaf's remarks were in violation of Article 5 which asks for showing loyalty to the state and obedience to the constitution, and that a case of treason should be registered against him.
The court observed that there was sufficient material on record to order a complete blackout on the activities of Altaf Hussain.
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Comments (92) Closed
Jan 26, 2016 12:11pm
MQM represents people of Karachi. In order to attain its rights which are of course the rights of the people of Karachi, it chooses to disrupt the lives of the people of Karachi. Indeed, democracy is the best revenge!
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Jan 26, 2016 12:28pm
MQM back doing what it does best. Spread chaos! They need to realize 80% of Karachiites rejected their politics of violence in last LG polls.
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Jan 26, 2016 12:37pm
Karachites voted them for working for their own selves rather than for Karachi's problems. Karachi is already facing a lot of challenges and problems. Yet see, self interest prevails and public votes them.
Nowadays it is not necessary to do public service in order to get votes but just awaken the racist factor inside them.
Karachites must enjoy!!!
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Jan 26, 2016 12:48pm
Shame on you talking about strikes. Perhaps you forget that kite is only liked by the thugs living around Kareem abad and Nazimabad. But perhaps your eyes shall open when sit-ins at two swords, Saddar will inshaaAllah face angry people shouting slogans against your stupid unethical party.
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Jan 26, 2016 12:52pm
@Dilectus really? Than who got 137 seats out of 209. FYI is almost 70% around. Please correct your facts.
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Jan 26, 2016 01:01pm
@Philosopher (from Japan) Please check the % of turn-around. Number of people who come out to vote.
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Jan 26, 2016 01:13pm
MQM was when it was, no its just a chaos creating machine.
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Jan 26, 2016 01:19pm
I Dream of Seeing Karachi as a NO DHARNA, NO PROTEST, NO STRIKE, NO RALLY Zone...
You wanna do anything like this? Go to Sukhar or Nawab Shah
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Jan 26, 2016 01:26pm
May Long Live MQM... haters going to hate forever...
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Jan 26, 2016 01:28pm
This group should be banned altogether!!
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Jan 26, 2016 01:31pm
They should be banned from spreading more unrest and MQM leader should never be heard on media again.
Karachi WAS once a beautiful city and peaceful too when I was in the college in early 50's
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Jan 26, 2016 01:34pm
Why Mqm is silent on the Real issues of Karachi. No mass transit, people riding on rooftops of unbearable coaches/buses. Metropolitan transport turned towards Rickshaws. Circular Railways? The messy state of Roads and flowing gutters.
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Jan 26, 2016 01:41pm
@DAWN because they don't have authority and power we won the seats but without power kindly do some research on Karachi politics who is in power and what is actually going on..
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Jan 26, 2016 01:43pm
@Khurram Please analyse before you penned down something.Nazimabad and Karimabad are the most literate areas in entire Pakistan.MQM represent Karachi and they have their majority here and so they will fight in Karachi for their rights.The majority Karachites have been supporting MQM for their rights.
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Jan 26, 2016 01:46pm
They should not be allowed to do such things during the week.
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Jan 26, 2016 01:52pm
My dear brothers, we are like a puppets... they are just playing with us and making fool bcoz we deserve for it. In fact, Our literacy rate is only 30-40% off the record including those who can read and write their names, unfortunately we considered among an illiterate nations of the world??
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Jan 26, 2016 02:07pm
@Karachitie
Please read my comment.I am asking why is Mqm silent for Real issues. Why not hold rallies for Mass transit, development of Karachi. etc etc. I m sure more people will join you.
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Jan 26, 2016 02:09pm
@Karachitie What did Mqm done for Karachi in the last 5 year tenure With Power along PPP?
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Jan 26, 2016 02:12pm
@DAWN They were busy strengthening their vice grip on Karachi and to discredit the operation.
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Jan 26, 2016 02:14pm
@Dilectus "They need to realize 80% of Karachiites rejected their politics of violence in last LG polls" and still they won the LG polls outclassing PTI and JI the results of last LG polls showed that how Karachiites hate PTI & JI
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Jan 26, 2016 02:19pm
@DAWN "What did Mqm done for Karachi in the last 5 year tenure With Power along PPP?" I think you are out of touch of Pakistan especially Karachi/Sindh MQM is not in power since last many years infact after Musharaf era they never get real power
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Jan 26, 2016 02:21pm
Banning this party? seriously? Why MQM needs to get banned? What about PPP and PMLN that left Pakistan in moth eaten state? seems like abhoring MQM has become a yardstick for patriotism in other parts of Pakistan and especially Punjab.
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Jan 26, 2016 02:23pm
MQM is copying PTI style of protest. Many of us have a selected memory but back to those Dharna Tamasha days, PTI did the same sort of Protest in Karachi by having Dharna in multiple locations in Karachi starting early morning. But PTI is PTI & MQM is MQM!
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Jan 26, 2016 02:26pm
Aap sirf plan of sit in check karain. The people doing job at I I Chundrigar Road will be blocked cuz of Regal Chock and Two Swords and Numaish. No one can easily come to F B Area or Gulshan or Nazimabad or Noth and New Karachi or Clifton or Defence. Now the other area of business, Korangi Industrial Area. No one can easily go home cuz of baber market landhi, chiniot hospital korangi, star gate, Johar mor, hassan square. Soooo everyone from every area has to suffer.
Have a great day ahead.
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Jan 26, 2016 02:31pm
@Muhammad Dost, what do you mean by real powers?? I just know the politics of being in government or not. Why didn't we leave to support the government (PPPP) since last many years if powers were not given. Sorry but a sad truth. We didn't have powers and we were enjoying the perks of being in government.
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Jan 26, 2016 02:33pm
@Pakistani
Why brother, why not only on weekdays?? Are you unable to attend the sit ins during weekdays or you enjoy your weekends at home doing nothing???
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Jan 26, 2016 02:36pm
MQM at its old games again.
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Jan 26, 2016 02:41pm
When it comes to MQM the racists / religious fanatics forgot the rationality / ground realities, facts and figures and start spitting venom based on bias and contempt towards the representatives of Karachiites and they expect from Karachiites to support their views
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Jan 26, 2016 02:47pm
@mizbah Please be realistic they are not in coalition with PPPP for the last more than three years and please also review the years when MQM was in coalition with PPPP they always objected to wrong doings of PPPP and got little bit respite for Karachiites please comments keeping in view the ground realities and dynamics of Rural and Urban Sindh divide
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Jan 26, 2016 02:47pm
Its court order can be ratify through court, by staging demonstration the leadership of MQM, as usual, misguiding the people
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Jan 26, 2016 02:53pm
@Nawaz,Zubair "MQM at its old games again" please let us know that if ground realities have been changed ? the Federal and Provincial governments of PML (N) and PPP have started delivering ? they have started serving country and its people ? the institutes have changed their ways ? if every thing has been changed then MQM has no right to protest ! it is as simple as that
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Jan 26, 2016 03:03pm
@Muhammad Then why are you Silent for rights of Karachiites? I have the answer , thats because Mqm is frendly opposition with PPP
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Jan 26, 2016 03:08pm
We are use to with this traffic jam
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Jan 26, 2016 03:12pm
@Muhammad
Federal Govt, Sindh Govt, MQM All playing games with lives of Karachi & Karachiites.
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Jan 26, 2016 03:21pm
The people of Karachi have voted for MQM, so we have no right to condemn or criticize MQM, which has opted for holding rallies and demonstrations for acceptance of their demand. But MQM must try to avoid nuisance and inconvenience to the general public, who are already facing lots of problems in their routine affairs.
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Jan 26, 2016 03:34pm
@Jalbani Baloch
My dear Not all of Karachi has voted for Mqm
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Jan 26, 2016 03:36pm
@DAWN Yes, not all Karachi but almost all.
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Jan 26, 2016 03:44pm
@mizbah
So MQM is breaking constitution by not caring about Minorities Interest?
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Jan 26, 2016 03:52pm
@khi24
Sir, read my comments which i posted an hour back.
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Jan 26, 2016 04:00pm
@Karachitie : So why don't protest for the rights of Karachihites. They only protest for their own benefits.
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Jan 26, 2016 04:00pm
The Party is back to its old tricks.
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Jan 26, 2016 04:02pm
@DAWN: Though I am not MQM supporter, yet the LGL result speaks itself about the majority of MQM. Just check the results and you will be convinced.
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Jan 26, 2016 04:05pm
@DAWN I think you have not been following Assembly sessions, talk shows and printed media otherwise you have not posted such baseless and unfounded comments MQM is the only voice of Urban Sindh especially Karachi on the other hand PTI the so-called preachers of "change" voted each and every bill in Sindh Assembly which was against the interests of Karachiite and / or Karachi the blatant example of such Karachi "Dushmani" is LG bill
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Jan 26, 2016 04:06pm
@Dilectus
It is this head in the sand approach which has brought us to this stage. Till December 1971 the same was being said about the Bengalis.
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Jan 26, 2016 04:07pm
@waqas that's what exactly my point it!
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Jan 26, 2016 04:08pm
@waqas
That's what exactly my point is!
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Jan 26, 2016 04:10pm
@Muhammad They would never accept it. These most online commentators may be new and young commentators, though same this remain in denial mode has been witnesses right from 1986's MQM's electoral victories. Their huge victories are not new and opposition is to them is also very old.
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Jan 26, 2016 04:11pm
@Muhammad
Can u give me evidence of this please?
I have been following all media mediums. Indeed, PTI asked to give all mayors esp Karachi's as the Mayor enjoys in KPK. Don't lie by false propaganda.
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Jan 26, 2016 04:18pm
@Muhammad Brother, you may see most of the people commenting on Karachi's issue, who are mostly not from Karachi.
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Jan 26, 2016 04:35pm
@Muhammad
Dear, I am a Karachiite. Plz tell me When did Mqm staged any demonstration or rally directly related to Any of Karachi issues facing general public each day?
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Jan 26, 2016 04:36pm
If Pakistan were to be a Democracy then it will not stop anyone from speaking out. Altaf bhai is a revered leader of millions of Mohajirs. How can he be stopped from speaking to his followers on TV?
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Jan 26, 2016 04:43pm
@DAWN: Pertinent question. Atleast, I don't recall if MQM has ever held any demonstration on the rights of Karachities.
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Jan 26, 2016 04:46pm
@DAWN I think Karachi witnessed dramatic turnaround in last local bodies set up in history, which has been abolished may be due to incredible intellect. But I am not convinced. Please refresh your memory if your are telling true that you are from Karachi. And, please make voice to delegate governing powers to the new elected mayor so it could be repeated again.
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Jan 26, 2016 04:49pm
PPP delighted! This kind of activity takes away attention from corruption, theft, misgovernance, injustice and also away from Dr. Asim. Life goes on
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Jan 26, 2016 04:54pm
Given a chance and back to their old tricks.....
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Jan 26, 2016 04:55pm
@M Jamal look what have they done to this beautiful city?
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Jan 26, 2016 04:57pm
@bkt Same is true for Punjab; and please inform readers if anything is improved in KPK
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Jan 26, 2016 05:01pm
@khi24 "I have been following all media mediums. Indeed, PTI asked to give all mayors esp Karachi's as the Mayor enjoys in KPK. Don't lie by false propaganda" Then why PTI members in Sindh Assembly voted for such a useless LG Bill ? and please let us know what KPK Mayors are enjoying for ? can you compare the authority given in the 2001 LG Bill and KPK latest LG bill ?
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Jan 26, 2016 05:05pm
Those who voted them have (and will be) suffered most.
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Jan 26, 2016 05:05pm
These protests should be an eye opener for the provincial government as well which is needlessly steering Karachi towards increasing disorder by slowing and clipping the implementation of the local bodies system. As regards the ban on Altaf Hussain is concerned, one has to see one single cogent argument in these comments (not based on bias or personal dislike) which can justify this continuing ban.
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Jan 26, 2016 05:07pm
@DAWN I am sure that you are not from Karachi otherwise you should have known the dynamics of Karachi
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Jan 26, 2016 05:28pm
@DAWN
When did you come out of the cave! The people of Karachi voted for MQM. MQM is asking for the rights of freedom of expression. Hence, it is a fight for the rights of Karachiites. Use some logic and every thing will become clear.
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Jan 26, 2016 05:35pm
@Muhammad For u i guess the dynamics of Karachi are: Be in the govt or Opposition (read very friendly) Say nothing do nothing which directly effects Karachi or Karachiites. Hold rallys here n there for any Non issue.
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Jan 26, 2016 05:39pm
@Citzen of Karachi Its ok Please do ask for freedom of expression But, don't you think you should also Ask at least from Sindh and Federal Govt Mass transit project for Karachi? Circular Railway for Karachi, etc etc etc.Please put some sincere pressure on Federal -Sindh Govt. If Baluchistan can Ok Mass transit for Quetta , dont u think Karachi should had got it way long ago?
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Jan 26, 2016 05:48pm
@DAWN You must know who can grant this huge funding for Karachi mass transit. If Baluchistan government have approved this grant for Quetta, it is more than good. Similarly, the same can be done by either Sindh or Federal governments. This is one of the matters is is to raise as Karachiite, for Karachi's mayor.
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Jan 26, 2016 05:53pm
Plz rangers don't let them disturb city life if they want do it where no one can be disturb. Looks like they haven't learn the lesson
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Jan 26, 2016 05:54pm
@DAWN
You are right. If mqm veers away from the core urban Sindh issues I would be the first one to criticise mqm. However being a Karachiite I know that it is only mqm which is capable of turning around the city, not the federal government and of course not the rural plutocracy. Hence it is imperative that mqm be allowed to speak, to be heard and to be allowed to govern Karachi will full powers. It is these rights that these protests are all about and hence fully justified.
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Jan 26, 2016 05:58pm
Why MQM does not raise voice against the stinking Karachi, heaps of garbage and overflowing gutters every where.
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Jan 26, 2016 05:59pm
@Dilectus ....your so called 80% don't belong to karachi :)
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Jan 26, 2016 06:00pm
@DAWN I think either you are very young you have not seen the era when MQM was given real powers in little stints when Farooq Sattar was mayor and when Mustafa Kamal was mayor and further when they have federal powers in PML (Q) era they strive their best to serve the Karachiites and still Karachiites remembered those days do you think Karachiites are more ignorant than rest of the country that they cannot event elect their right representatives ?
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Jan 26, 2016 06:08pm
@Rasheed "Why MQM does not raise voice against the stinking Karachi, heaps of garbage and overflowing gutters every where" I think you have not ever heard leader of opposition Mr. Izhar ul Hassan of MQM because you are allergic of MQM he and other MQM members raised this issues several times
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Jan 26, 2016 06:59pm
it's been a showdown taking MQM and N-League together. They're one policy and will last in parallel..
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Jan 26, 2016 07:11pm
MQM and any other party for that matter has absolute right to protest for their grievances in a peaceful way which they did. I'm positive that many comments are from individuals who are not even from Karachi and are completely oblivious to the ground reality. Time and again Karachities have given their verdict in favor of MQM as the later proved itself their true representative, recent resounding success in LB election is not far from memory lane. Spewing hate against the party that Karachities elected to represent may give the haters an incentive to prolong their stay in the alternate reality but won't change the facts on the ground that only MQM has been and will always be the torch bearer of rights of urban population of Sindh.
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Jan 26, 2016 07:36pm
MQM is now doing Peaceful protest. Credit goes to Karachi Operation and Rangers that MQM has become peaceful. You all remember 12th May and MQM's protest against Zulfiqar Mirza. How peaceful they were!
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Jan 26, 2016 07:47pm
@M Jamal : Unfortunately, that used to be true. Not anymore. These are now low-income, low-literacy areas because MQM never focussed on the education or health of its voters. It has lead the entire Mohajir youth into extremism. That is the real sin of this party.
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Jan 26, 2016 07:57pm
Too Little Too Late.
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Jan 26, 2016 08:20pm
Thanks to the Rangers, MQm was forced to hold "peaceful" demonstration.
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Jan 26, 2016 08:45pm
The critics of MQM here are beating the same rhetoric for long time even since MQM advent, but no other party has come forward to address problems of Karachi. These 'intellectuals' always condemn MQM due to their fixed biased spectacle. They are in negation state and would never ever accept MQM same as they or their ancestors had not accepted Awami League in 1971. Wake up Pakistan and see the world is changing.
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Jan 26, 2016 08:53pm
@Khan-Khi Well said sir. A separate province has become essential for the people of Karachi. One solution to all problems of Karachi - A Separate Province. Period.
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Jan 26, 2016 09:07pm
I am sure most if not all critics of MQM do not belong to Karachi otherwise they would not have criticized a most popular party in Karachi. MQM has been serving its people for decades within its own resources, but the authority and money is within hands of waderas who are stern opponents of MQM. How MQM mayor can serve Karachi with bare hands? any critic of MQM has answer to this??
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Jan 26, 2016 09:43pm
No shutter down protests this time?
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Jan 26, 2016 10:55pm
I must commend the peaceful protest by the MQM, if it really was peaceful.
But threatening to strike, and spread chaos if Altaf is not allowed to hold his speeches is not right. Enough of this hooliganism.
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Jan 27, 2016 12:11am
See what happened to Pakistan when big province rejected the mandate of Awami League? So please don't repeat history.
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Jan 27, 2016 12:30am
MQM represents Karachi and has all the right to protest ban on Altafs speech why not MQM haters accept they are scared to hear the truth when Altaf speaks
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Jan 27, 2016 12:33am
Throughout PPP tenure you enjoyed U-turns, and now agitating,again take U-turn and follow CM PPP,that your destiny. Karachites again voted you in fear but know you will not deliver. So far you failed to get abolish the quota system, nor you gave peace to Karachi hence still no expectation from MQM.
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Jan 27, 2016 02:09am
What else can it do?
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Jan 27, 2016 02:12am
@Azmat Ali according to BBC report the most educated district of Karachi is district central which is also the main vote bank of MQM please correct your facts. secondly, your absurd generalization about mohajir youth is quite illusionary or I should say mental disillusionment. Can you please give us how many doctors engineers professors etc came to surface from mohajir community in last four decades (MQM started in 1970 from APMSO) and they ALL turned to be Extremists (in your notion). Either you don't know the meaning of extremism or KPK doesn't exist on earth (ref APS / charsadda attacks). Finally, can you please give us any government let alone political party in the history of Pakistan which was or is focused on two social indicators you mentioned i.e Health n education and with special reference to Katachi??? It looks you are naive in Pakistan politics and have just joined a famous FB fan club whose members are million on social media but null n void on VOTE BANK. Regards
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Jan 27, 2016 02:32am
@FAZ As far as protest is concerned , it's everyone's right. No traffic or any kind violence was heard and observed during the protest. As far as Karachi is concerned , It's not about racial politics but Actually International players doesn't want karachi to prosper and it's also in the interest of Political parties who are actually dynastic in nature. Mqm indeed has indeed used strong arm tactics and strategy many times but so has All other parties . So why just blame Mqm?. Everyone has the right voice his/her opinion and that is what you and I are doing right now. Democracy is not revenge or any kind vendetta . It's a system and every system has flaws. But it is the best system that has been going on around the world . I am sorry to say this but we are not law abiding citizen so that is why we don't have law abiding politicians . peace
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Jan 27, 2016 02:34am
@Hadi and you just assumed that the number of people who did not show up would have voted for you? those who chose not to vote have no right to complaint!
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Jan 27, 2016 03:20am
No ban on any extremist organization but ban on a democratic secular party. WEIRD is it not?
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Jan 27, 2016 04:25am
There are more important work to handle and deal at Karachi, rather than going on strikes and protest for Mr. Altaf. Don't jeopardize city life again.
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Jan 27, 2016 05:44am
MQM ans peaceful rally?? wow thats a change or work of our Rangers?
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