ISLAMABAD: Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar on Saturday said that his party would contest the upcoming general elections independently.

Addressing a press conference, he said the MQM has always contested elections independently with its own manifesto. However, he said that seat adjustment could be made with like minded parties.

The MQM leader said the party is in alliance with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on the basis of five points including fighting terrorism, strengthening the democracy, economic stability in the country, to make reconciliation policy successful and to stabilise the country.

“We played our role as a responsible political party to achieve these targets,” he maintained.

The minister said local problems including peace in Karachi could be resolved with local government system adding that the MQM has always supported LG system in the country.

Assailing the ruling party, he said impediment of the local body elections has favoured the Sindhi nationalists. “There is neither local government system nor a proper policing system in Karachi, which has fanned terrorism,” said Farooq Sattar.

Replying to a question, he said the banned outfits including Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were responsible for destabilising peace in the metropolis.

Sattar said destabilising the financial hub of the country by killings political leaders and targeted killings on religious differences is in fact a conspiracy to destabilise Pakistan and its economy.

Meanwhile, after a long consultative meeting of the party’s Rabita (coordination) Committee, MQM chief Altaf Hussain was advised to not meet any government official until a conclusive decision is reached in this regard – APP/DawnNews