Altaf welcomes Imran to Jinnah Ground

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain early on Wednesday extended ‘advance gratitude’ to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for holding a public gathering at Azizabad’s Jinnah Ground.

“I have heard that Imran Khan will come to Jinnah Ground in a day or two and offer fateha on the Yadgar-e-Shuhada. I welcome him in Karachi,” he said.

“Real and healthy democracy can take roots and prosper by promoting the feelings of mutual tolerance and coexistence. It will also strengthen unity in the country,” he added.




Political temperature is rising with every passing day as April 23, the polling day for NA-246 by-election, draws closer. Following a charge-sheet presented against Altaf Hussain by PTI leader Faisal Vawda, the former called the PTI chief “Tehreek-e-Taliban’s leader”.

Speaking to MQM workers at Jinnah Ground via telephone from London, Hussain said the whole party would welcome Imran Khan on his arrival in Karachi and for holding a rally in Azizabad.

He, however, cautioned the PTI for keeping the honour of Yadgar-e-Shuhda (martyrs monument) located at Jinnah Ground.

Commenting on the upcoming by-polls for the Azizabad constituency, the MQM chief predicted that his party’s candidate would emerge victorious as the masses would express their love for him.

Hussain said other parties would bring in crowds to Jinnah Ground from all across the city.

He urged the workers and supporters to come out in large numbers to vote for Kanwar Naveed, the MQM’s candidate for the April 23 by-election.

“Stand in queues at polling stations for as long as needed, tolerate it and the victory will be of MQM,” said Altaf Hussain.

Hussain appealed to the male voters of constituency NA-246 to encourage women to cast their votes in favour of MQM candidate.

He asked the MQM sympathisers to focus on their work and not get distracted by opponents.

The MQM chief said: “We want peace and tranquillity in the entire world.”