KARACHI, May 13: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain on Friday deplored the gang-rape of a 14-year-old girl, Shabana Mirani, of Rattodero, Larkana, and urged the president and prime minister to take notice of the crime and ensure that the culprits are taken to task.

In a statement, Mr Hussain said that the culprits, allegedly belonging to a political party, were using pressure and threatening the girl and his family to hush up the matter or face serious consequences.

Meanwhile, MQM organizing committee members strongly reacted to Professor Ghafoor’s statement in which he had criticised the MQM’s policies and said that a party which had supported martial law and strengthened the hands of Gen Ziaul Haq and other military generals had no right to criticise others and make such slanderous remarks.

He alleged that even today the religious parties were playing second fiddle to the establishment.

The MQM also initiated interviews of its prospective nominees for the upcoming local government elections. For this purpose, several committees have been constituted.