KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Wednesday announced that it would stage countrywide protests over the killing of the party's post-bearer in Punjab's Sialkot district a day earlier.
MQM's Sialkot district vice president 'Baoo Anwar' was shot dead in Sialkot by unknown armed men on Tuesday night.
Following the murder, an emergency meeting of the MQM Rabita (Coordination) Committee was held at the party's Nine Zero headquarters during which the party leadership warned the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) government to be prepared for protests against the targeted killing of MQM workers.
The party also appealed to residents of Karachi to stock up on food supplies and other necessities, indicating that utility stores and businesses may be completely shut down.
MQM chief Altaf Hussain, in a statement issued, condemned the targeted killing of 'Baoo Anwar' and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the incident. He also suspended the party's Rabita committees in London and Karachi.
“I appeal to the workers to hold protest demonstrations and decide about the routes of the processions and venues of demonstrations on their own. Protest demonstrations should be held throughout Pakistan besides Karachi even in ten people take part in it.”
He said, “I am making a direct appeal to sector in-charges, sector committees, zonal in-charges, zonal committees, workers and sympathisers of the MQM. I have not bothered the Coordination Committee, MNAs, and MPAs as they are big people.”
Following the announcement, a large number of MQM activists and supporters reached the party's Nine Zero headquarters where the entry of the party's legislators was reportedly barred.
Punjab Chief Minister took notice of the incident and condemned the murder of the MQM activist in Sialkot. He assured Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan that he (Sharif) would personally supervise the probe into the killing.
Addressing a large gathering in Jinnah Ground in Karachi's Azizabad area on Tuesday party chief Altaf Huusain said “When a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Inasf (PTI) worker was gunned down in Faisalabad a few days ago, the MQM extended sympathies to the PTI leaders and condemned the unleashing of terrorism against PTI workers."
"The PTI held demonstrations across the country. They resorted to sloganeering and burning of tyres which were covered live by television channels.”
“When demonstrations are held throughout the country on the death of one person no one says anything but whenever there is a public reaction against the tragic killing of several MQM workers, it is called terrorism and there is a great hue and cry against it,” he added.
The MQM chief asked if it was not unjust that MQM does not get even one per cent coverage on the national television channel.
