KARACHI, April 28: Nazims of three towns have accused the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) of resorting to all sorts of tactics to prevent elected representatives from carrying out welfare programmes.

Dr Pervez Mahmood, Ahmed Parekh and Fasihuddin, nazims of Liaquatabad, Jamshed and North Nazimabad towns, claimed that the MQM had resorted to hurling threats, armed attacks, creating bureaucratic hurdles and propaganda against the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) "to cover-up its own failures."

In addition to blocking development funds and share in taxes and revenue meant for reimbursement to the city and town administrations, they have started issuing statements containing baseless allegations, the nazims told a joint press conference at the Karachi Press Club.

"They have neither done any positive work for the people of Karachi, nor have they uttered even a single word of truth since their party's inception. After realizing that the CDGK and town administrations are delivering goods to the masses, they have started hatching conspiracies against these bodies," they alleged.

Clarifying that they did not want to indulge in confrontation with the MQM or any other group, the nazims said that the situation created by Muttahida ministers and advisers had compelled them to clarify their (the nazim's) position.

"Thanks to media, people are now aware of those who are against development work in this city, and also those involved in terrorism, extortion, crime and killing of opponents in Karachi," they said, adding that Muttahida had now started attacking elected representatives also.

The town nazims, belonging to the Al-Khidmat Group, had a few days back claimed that the beautification objects at Ayesha Manzil Chowrangi had been destroyed by a violent mob which, according to them, was led by sector and unit in-charges of the MQM.

Answering a question, they said that they had never called for another army operation against Muttahida men in Karachi. Instead, they added, they were of the view that people of Karachi themselves would force these people to flee.

"Several Muttahida activists, including Khalid Bin Waleed, were killed while the party was in the government fold. Over the past one year, 12 Muttahida activists have been killed in Liaquatabad alone," the nazims pointed out, and said that the MQM had done nothing to apprehend those involved in the terrorist acts.

Describing the destruction of roundabouts and other development works as 'rehearsal for the May 12 by-elections', they said murders of inspector Taufeeq Zahid and hundreds of other people were an open challenge from the Muttahida to its opponents." - PPI