KARACHI, Dec 11: Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain has said the victory of his party candidates in the by-election is a reflection of people’s confidence in the MQM. According to a press release faxed by MQM from London on Sunday, Mr Hussain while addressing a gathering in the Khurshid Memorial Hall at the party headquarters in Azizabad over telephone, congratulated the candidates who won the by-election in PS-117 and PS-120, and thanked those who voted for them.

He asked the newly-elected candidates to serve the people in their respective areas without discrimination of creed, cast, colour, and religion.

He said that the people had reposed confidence in the newly-elected candidates and now it was their responsibility to solve people’s problems and perform their duty with honesty.

Referring to the devastating earthquake of Oct 8, he said that MQM workers had participated in relief operation enthusiastically which was witnessed by people of the country and which proved that the objective of the MQM’s politics was not to acquire powers, but to serve people at every level. Now MQM’s message has spread over to Azad Kashmir and all suppressed and poor people have been coming nearer to the MQM.

He appreciated the efforts of Sindh home minister, police, Rangers, administration and law-enforcement agencies for conducting by-election in a peaceful atmosphere. He, however, asked his workers to be prepared to foil a conspiracy being hatched by some anti-social elements and do all efforts to maintain peace while keeping an eye on unscrupulous elements.

The newly-elected candidates Khalid Bin Wilayat, Dr Saghir Ahmed and Nishat Mohammad Zia assured Mr Hussain that they would make all out efforts to come up to the expectations of people.