KARACHI: In a passionate appeal to the powers that be to not doubt their patriotism, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan chief Dr Farooq Sattar has once again dissociated himself from the London-based founder and his party, commonly known as the MQM-London.

At a press conference held on Wednesday at the party’s temporary headquarters in Bahadurabad to announce the MQM-Pakistan’s plan to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day, Dr Sattar spent most of the time in addressing the establishment and assuring it of their ‘unflinching loyalty’ to the country.

“We are true and patriotic Pakistanis and I appeal to the institutions responsible for national security to not doubt our loyalty with the country,” said Dr Sattar.

He said that following the Aug 22, 2016 events — when MQM founder Altaf Hussain made an incendiary speech and later his followers stormed some media houses in the city — his party dissociated itself with the London office.

Despite standing with Pakistan on Aug 23, he said, the party was given no relief as “false” cases were not withdrawn, while “hundreds” of workers were languishing in prison with party offices still sealed.

“If you have any doubts about our past political activities then you must tell us one single act of ours since Aug 23, 2016 in which we worked against the Constitution of Pakistan or had become a part of any conspiracy against national security,” he said.

Dr Sattar said after the MQM’s Aug 23 decision its “missing” and jailed workers should have been recovered and released, but the raids and arrests were still on due to unknown reasons.

“I reject all reports which say we are still in contact with London ... even today I once again announce complete dissociation [with the MQM-London],” he said. 

“After Aug 23, 2016 all our policies are made here in Pakistan and we are ready to correct ourselves if any of our policy decision caused harm to the country’s solidarity.”

He urged the powers that be not to punish the MQM workers and supporters by carrying out raids and arrest, as the party was willing to rectify any mistake it made unintentionally.

Festival

About the Independence Day celebrations, he said that the MQM would organise an Independence Day festival from Aug 11 to Aug 14 in Karachi.

A 10-day cleanliness campaign would be launched from Aug 14 till Aug 23 across the city, he added.

On Aug 14, he said, flag hoisting ceremonies would be held at “hundreds of spots” in the city and he along with members of the coordination committee and elected representatives would visit the Quaid’s mausoleum to pay their homage.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2017