KARACHI, Dec 25: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Tuesday launched the second phase of its election campaign by holding four public meetings simultaneously in four different localities of the city.

A large number of people including women and children reached the venues of the meetings at Annu Bhai Park (Nazimabad), Al-Hamra Ground (Orangi Town), a ground in Korangi and Mohammadi Ground (Malir) to listen to their leader Altaf Hussain’s address which was simultaneously relayed from London.

In his address, Mr Hussain said that each and every vote was important for the party so all people should cast their votes and as early as possible on Jan 8.The Muttahida chief urged the party workers to avoid any clash or quarrel with any party or group to maintain a peaceful atmosphere in the city. He also urged workers and leaders of all political parties not to use any offensive language against any party.

Mr Hussain voiced his concern over the rising street crimes in the city and said that the MQM parliamentarians after their election would carry out legislation to curb the menace.

He said that elimination of street crimes was a must for peace and progress. The MQM chief said that the party would remove its lawmakers if they failed to carry out legislation against street crime.

“The MQM is striving for the poor and the middle class people but it does not mean that the party is against the entire affluent class. We are against two per cent people of this country who are abusing power and minting money through illegal means,” Mr Hussain said.

He said that the MQM was also struggling against the dual system in the country and it wanted “empowerment for all”.

Mr Hussain one by one named the MQM candidates contesting the polls from the constituencies in the areas where the public meetings were held and appealed the masses to exercise their right to vote in favour of the party on Jan 8. He also thanked all those communities and groups who had extended support to the MQM candidates in the election.

Waving party flags and carrying portraits of their party leader, Altaf Hussain, participants of the public meetings reached the venues in cars, motorcycles, vans, buses. Party workers and sympathisers took out rallies in their respective localities to reach the four venues.

Strict security arrangements were made to avert any possible untoward incident. The workers of the MQM were controlling traffic and all security arrangements inside the venues were in their hands. Walkthrough gates were also installed at the entrances to detect any explosive or firearm.

The participants of the meetings enthusiastically welcomed Mr Hussain when he started his address by phone from London.