KARACHI, Aug 5: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has accused the chief minister and home minister of Sindh and some political and religious parties of hiding the ‘truth about Talibanisation in Karachi’ and reiterated its demand for ‘meaningful measures’ against extremist religious elements.

MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said at a press conference here on Tuesday he would like to ask the government and the political parties if they would continue to hide the truth and deny the process of Talibanisation in Karachi even after the Taliban had publicly admitted their presence in the city.

He said MQM chief Altaf Hussain had time and again warned that a conspiracy was being hatched to spread Talibanisation in Karachi, but “unfortunately some circles have denied the presence of Taliban in the city”.

Dr Sattar said that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan’s spokesman Maulvi Omar in an interview with the BBC Urdu Service had said the Taliban were present not only in Karachi but in the entire province and they were linked through an organised network.

The spokesman also indicated that the Taliban would try to enforce their style of Sharia and restore peace in Karachi.

Dr Sattar, who is party’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Home Minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza and leaders of some political and religious parties were trying to hide facts from the nation, but how could they do it now after the statement of Maulvi Omar.

He called upon the president, prime minister and Sindh’s governor, chief minister and home minister to take notice of the conspiracy to Talibanise Karachi and take measures to curb religious extremists.

He said the authorities should also find out who were providing arms and funds to the Taliban.

Dr Sattar appealed to the people to unite to foil the conspiracy against the city and curb extremism.

In reply to a question, he said the MQM would request the Pakistan People’s Party to requisition a session of the Sindh assembly for a debate on the issue. He said his party would also discuss the matter with the Awami National Party.