KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan on Sunday formally launched its election campaign by organising a big public meeting in a Malir area.

The event was organised only for the people of Malir and Korangi and the party vowed to hold similar programmes across the metropolis as part of its campaign for next general elections.

Carrying tri-coloured party flags and chanting slogans, a number of people including women and children gathered at the venue near Saudabad Chowrangi in Malir.

Speaking on the occasion, senior MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar announced that the party formally launched its election campaign today.

Terming the event a “revolutionary gathering”, MQM-P convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui criticised the call made by what he called “some misled people” to boycott the MQM-P and its activities.

He said the successful rally in Malir was actually a boycott of those elements.

“It’s the MQM-P which brought over seven million people of Karachi into final count of the national census,” he said, adding: “Due to our efforts, 54 new union committees of Karachi have been added into local government system of this city. But despite all these efforts and struggle, there’s always a segment of misled and dishonest people who conspire against national interest. But let it be very clear to everyone that all such segments and their propaganda are buried here in Malir today.”

Senior leader Mustafa Kamal said the party efforts brought down the ideology of hatred and rejection. The true middle class of the society, he said, is now part of the party regardless of ethnicity, religious beliefs and backgrounds.

“The MQM-P is now representing every corner of Karachi from Keamari to Sohrab Goth and from Ghaggar Phatak to Hub Chowki,” he said, adding: “The past one year is witness to our struggle which brought relief to people of Karachi. From K-Electric to census, you have only found MQM-P as your representative in all your issues. But we haven’t given up. You would find us at every forum to raise voice for your rights and relief. This is the beginning of a new era and the upcoming polls would lead to a new dawn when the MQM-P would emerge as the largest single party of this city.”

Accusing the country’s ruling elite of deliberately undermining the significance of Karachi, Mr Kamal claimed that a certain mindset didn’t want Karachi’s population to be shown more than 15 million for their vested interests and the same could have prevailed had his party not resisted.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2023