ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has said that it does not want any rift among the pillars of state.
MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi said at a press conference on Monday that his party was evaluating the situation after the Supreme Court’s order against the prime minister in the contempt case and would take a decision about its stance after studying the detailed judgment.
How could the MQM take a stand on the matter until the court took a clear-cut stand and released the detailed judgment? he said in reply to a question.
He said that in the MQM’s view the prevailing economic crisis and price hike were the major issues facing the nation today.
Criticising the tax system, Mr Rizvi said there were 70 per cent indirect taxes and 30 per cent direct taxes in the country while it was the other way round in advanced countries.
He said MQM was the only party that had left the government over an increase in petroleum prices and the party’s delegations held at least 30 meetings with the finance minister before the current fiscal year began to persuade him to levy tax on agricultural income.
Mr Rizvi said the MQM would not close doors for dialogue with any party, including the Pakistan Muslim League-N.
He said Lyari operation had confirmed the MQM’s assertions that gangsters had been using advanced weapons and rocket launchers and were involved in target killings and kidnappings for ransom.
The MQM leader announced that chief of a local traders’ welfare association and former leader of the Muslim Student Federation, Aurangzeb Awan, had joined the Muttahida along with his friends.
Mr Awan said citizens were reconsidering their party affiliations because of growing problems in the country. He said popularity of the MQM was rapidly increasing in the federal capital.
Prayers were held on the occasion for the soldiers buried by an avalanche in the Gyari sector.
