ISLAMABAD, May 17: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal deputy secretary-general Liaquat Baloch has alleged that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement is making false claims about kidnapping of its workers in Karachi. Speaking at a news conference at the Parliamentary House cafeteria on Tuesday, Mr Baloch said the MQM which sought strength from ethnic sentiments had promoted the culture of extortion and car lifting, and plunged the otherwise peaceful city of Karachi into a sea of ethnic and linguistic prejudices.

He said that the MMA would resist and fight back the methods of coercion and oppression in Karachi and the entire country.

He alleged that the MQM was creating a state of scare as it foresaw a clear defeat in the local councils’ elections, because it had disappointed the people of Karachi and had resorted to terrorism and violence under state patronage.

He termed the MQM claims about kidnapping of its workers in Karachi as a pack of lies.

He said the man named in the kidnapping, and torturing to death of an Islami Jamiat Tulba student from Jinnah College a few days ago was an MQM sector incharge and the party was now levelling allegations against IJT and JI to cover its own deeds.

Mr Baloch alleged that the MQM was trying to create an atmosphere of scare by spreading terrorist activities before local council votes and making Karachi its hostage.

He claimed that the MMA was a representative force of the people of Karachi and it would stand up to the conspiracies and terrorism unleashed by the MQM.

The MMA leader said that May 27 would be observed as international protest day against the sacrilege of Holy Quran by US forces in Guantanamo Bay.