KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Thursday set up a protest camp near the Quaid-i-Azam Mausoleum to demand arrest of killers of its workers, early recovery of the missing party members and to show solidarity with the families of the slain activists.

Hundreds of party workers, including women and children, attended the protest camp where Fateha for the “martyred workers” was offered as the families of the missing party members were carrying their (missing workers) portraits.

Lawmakers and councillors associated with the MQM as well as the party’s office-bearers attended the camp.

In their brief speeches, MQM leaders expressed solidarity with the families of the dead and missing workers, and demanded that the authorities hold a fair investigation into their killing and early recovery of those who were not produced before court despite the fact they were in the custody of law enforcement agencies.

During the protest, private television news channels ran a headline that party chief Altaf Hussain had announced that he was quitting the MQM leadership. They also said Mr Hussain had asked senior party leader Dr Farooq Sattar to take care of the MQM as he no longer wanted to run its affairs.

But London-based party leader Mustafa Azizabad intervened and posted multiple tweets denying such reports. He said

Mr Hussain had not made any such announcement.

“He [Altaf Hussain] only expressed his sentiments before the workers and during that he hinted at quitting the party leadership. But it was then and there rejected by the workers,” he added.

The traffic remained suspended on the key road link amid tight security arrangements by the police and Rangers because of the protest camp. Severe traffic congestion was witnessed on New M. A. Jinnah Road and Shahrah-i-Quaideen, where the motorists were advised for taking alternative routes.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.