KARACHI: The Mutta­hi­­da Qaumi Movement (MQM) called upon Defence Minis­ter Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday to apologise for “hurting the sentiments of millions of people belonging to the Mohajir community”.

Senior leaders of the MQM warned that if an unconditional apology was not extended, the party would keep boycotting the sessions of upper and lower houses of parliament.

“The federal minister’s statement is reflection of a chauvinist and discriminatory mindset,” the Muttahida leaders and members of the National Assembly told a press conference at the party’s headquarters ‘Nine Zero’.

“The MQM while being the sole representative of Mohajir community across the country demands that Khawaja Asif must apologise for his remarks. If he doesn’t do so we would boycott Senate and National Assembly sessions and raise our voice against such derogatory remarks by the minister at every other forum.”

Later, a large number of MQM workers, including women and children, converged outside the Karachi Press Club and held protest against the minister’s remarks.

“A high wave of anger has swept across Pakistan on the inflammatory and degrading statement of Khawaja Asif about Mohajirs,” said MQM leader Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi while addressing the protesters.

“This huge protest and presence of every segment of society in it is reflection of those sentiments, which emerged after the defence minister’s remarks. This is not the first time that our sentiments have been hurt but it would not be tolerated anymore.”

Senator Ahtaramul Haq Thanvi, Qamar Mansoor and Haider Abbass Rizivi in their speeches asked the federal government to take notice of Khawaj Asif’s “irresponsible” behaviour.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2015

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