KARACHI, Dec 20: The Awami National Party, Sindh chapter, has rejected the claim of MQM leader Altaf Husain that the December 15 strike call by the Pakhtoon Action Committee was a conspiracy to foment Pakhtoon-Mohajir riots.

A statement by a party spokesman said the Pakhtoons believed in the non-violent philosophy of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and they had always adhered to it. He said most of the demands made by the Pakhtoons were related to MQM as this party was in government and their leaders held the portfolios of transport, local bodies besides having the control of the city government.

He asked the MQM leader what steps had been taken by the party for the redressal of the problems being faced by the Pakhtoons.

The ANP spokesman claimed innocent Pakhtoons were arrested, humiliated and tortured in various police stations.

He said when the MQM said it was the representative party of 98 per cent of the oppressed people, it was the party’s duty to protect the rights of Pakhtoons living in the city.