KARACHI: A day after supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Muttahida Qaumi Movement clashed with each other at Azizabad’s Jinnah ground, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad swung into action, brought both parties to the negotiating table and got them to agree on a code of conduct for the April 23 by-election on a National Assembly seat (NA-246).

The governor held a meeting with representatives of both parties on a ‘request’ of MQM supremo Altaf Hussain who earlier in the day offered to the PTI the Jinnah ground venue for their April 19 rally but ‘requested’ them to give time to the MQM to make arrangements for the ‘martyrs monument’ there.

The meeting was attended by the PTI’s Dr Arif Alvi and its candidate Imran Ismail, while the MQM was represented by Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and party candidate Kanwar Naveed Jameel.

Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui and city police chief Ghulam Qadir Thebo were also present.

Accompanied by the representatives of both parties, Dr Ibad spoke to reporters at Governor House after the meeting and said: “I have requested both parties to refrain from provocation and not to use derogatory words against each other’s leaders.”

“The PTI can hold its rally at the Jinnah ground or wherever it wishes to [hold] it and it would be provided complete security for their campaigning,” he said.

“MQM chief Altaf Hussain has already advised the area people and party workers to avoid any act or gesture which may cause provocation or lead to provocation.”

PTI leader Dr Alvi told reporters that his party preferred city peace at all cost and it wanted to contest the by-election in a peaceful and democratic environment where everyone was allowed to raise their voice and agenda.

“The PTI workers and all its supporters always respect other parties and we would ensure the sanctity of the Yadgar-i-Shauhda-i-Haq and offer Fateha for the martyred workers,” he said.

Mr Jameel of the MQM appealed to the political parties to respect the sensitivities of other parties while campaigning as democratic norms did not allow anyone to ridicule their opponents.

“Our only request is to respect others and take care of the sensitivity of the area where our party is headquartered. We are not opposing the rally of any party in any part of the city,” he said.

On Tuesday, a PTI delegation visiting the Jinnah ground to review the arrangements for their election rally planned for April 19 was attacked by MQM workers. The MQM alleged that the PTI delegation tore up banners of Altaf Hussain and desecrated the martyrs’ monument.

Both PTI and MQM also lodged FIRs against each other.

Altaf invites PTI to hold rally in Azizabad

Earlier, MQM chief Altaf Hussain offered an olive branch to the PTI and invited it to hold a rally in Azizabad’s Jinnah ground.

In a statement released from London on Wednesday morning, Mr Hussain said that he was extremely sad about the tragic incident that took place between “the residents of the NA-246 and the leaders and workers of the PTI”.

“He [Altaf Hussain] did not want to blame anyone for this incident as his intention is noble and he wanted free and fair elections to be held in peace,” said the MQM statement. “In democracy, verbal confrontation, criticism and support between two national parties are common, but both or more parties should not covert this into animosity and should not create such an environment that it appears as if two opposing powers are fighting or people of two countries are at war.”

He asked the PTI whether it was unaware of a ‘martyrs’ monument’ at the Jinnah ground, where thousands of people visited to pay their respect and offer Fateha.

Mr Hussain assured the PTI of his party’s full cooperation if it held their rally elsewhere. “But if they insist on holding their rally at the Jinnah ground then the MQM should be given time to make proper arrangements for protection of the monument and would request the PTI to ensure its sanctity.”

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2015

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