KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) will not be participating in the long march planned by the Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Tahirul Qadri, DawnNews quoted Deputy Convener of the MQM's Coordination Committee Dr Farooq Sattar as saying.

Sattar added that the MQM would continue its moral support for Qadri. Sattar added that the MQM had informed Qadri regarding its decision, adding that the party would remain in contact with the TMQ chief.

Earlier on Thursday, MQM chief Altaf Hussain had reaffirmed that his party would definitely join Qadri’s long march and had asked his critics if religious and other political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), had not organised such marches in the past.

Hussain had moreover asked the people criticising his party for supporting Qadri’s march as to which law book prohibited a coalition partner from holding protests and demonstrations and taking part in a march.

“We have accepted the government’s decision and now it should accept our decision to become part of the long march,” the MQM had stated on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf had held a meeting with leaders of allied parties, including the MQM, at the Bilawal House, during which the coalition partners had reiterated their full support to the government.

The meeting was attended by Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) chief Senator Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan and Senator Shahi Syed, MQM leaders Dr Farooq Sattar, Senator Babar Khan Ghouri, Munir Khan Orakzai, Hameedullah Jan Afridi and Senator Abbas Khan Afridi.