HYDERABAD, March 16: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement will continue its protest against extortionists within and outside the assemblies unless the menace is wiped out, Farooq Sattar, the federal minister for Overseas Pakistanis, said on Friday.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Sindh Unity Conference at Mehran Arts Council here on Friday, he said people were fed up with the “bhatta mafia” (extortionists), asserting that the MQM had a right to speak out against this evil.

“The Urdu-speaking people do not need any certificate (of being Sindhi) from anyone as they are the sons of Sindh. Altaf Hussain is a son of the soil and liberator of the oppressed,” Dr Sattar said.

He said the Balochistan issue had become complicated, calling upon the government and political parties to “realise the gravity of the matter before it is too late”.

He said although the 18th, 19th and 20th Constitutional Amendments had been adopted and a step taken to address the sense of deprivation through the Balochistan package, the smaller federating units felt they had not been given their rights.

The sense of deprivation in Sindh must also be addressed, Dr Sattar said.

Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (A) chairman Abdul Wahid Arisar, columnist Arbab Nek Mohammad and an MQM leader, Ashfaq Mangi, were present on the occasion.

ANP SUPPORTS OPERATION: Senator Shahi Syed, a leader of the Awami National Party, has said his party is against “all mafias, including bhatta mafia, weapons mafia and land mafia”, calling for a “transparent operation” against all extortionists.

Speaking at a public meeting at Bacha Khan Chowk on Friday, he alleged that “several MNAs are a product of the bhatta mafia”.

“Everyone knows which party is notorious for extortion and is funded by extortionists,” the newly elected senator said.

He deplored the “rowdiness by some elements” in the Sindh Assembly on Friday.

Shahi Syed called for redrawing of electoral constituencies and carrying out a census under the army’s supervision.

He said Sindh, including Karachi, belonged to Sindhis first and then to other Pakistanis.

The ANP leader said Pakhtoons were sacrificing their lives for defending the country. “Pakhtoons are the followers of Bacha Khan who believed in non-violence, love and peace.”

Basher Khan. general secretary of the ANP’s Sindh chapter, lashed out at “hidden hands” responsible for the graffiti about a Muhajir province.

Sindh Labour Minister Ameer Nawab, a labour leader Qamoos Gul Khattak and ANP leaders Haji Sher Zaman and Lala Aurangzeb also spoke on the occasion.