MQM agrees to review resignations after PM meeting

ISLAMABAD: Following a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Monday night agreed to review their decision of resigning from the National Assembly.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who was tasked to play the role of mediator, Dr Farooq Sattar said that all grievances of the MQM were presented to the premier in today's meeting.

"Illegal detention and extrajudicial killing of MQM workers, banning Altaf Hussain's speeches and media trial against the party are among reservations put forward today," he said.


The parliamentary leader of MQM in the NA said that his party has never spoken about halting Karachi operation despite having serious reservations on it.

He said that MQM also believes in ongoing crackdown on criminals, adding that the killers of thousands of his party workers must be brought to justice.

Lawmaker belonging to the party resigned from NA, Senate and Sindh Assembly after expressing reservations on ongoing Rangers and police operation in Karachi. They say that MQM is being targeted in the garb of operation against criminals and terrorists in the Sindh capital.

Prime Minister Sharif reportedly said during the meeting that the operation was not against any political party rather it was targeting only the criminals and it will continue till all the anti-social elements are crushed.

“Restoration of peace in Karachi and ensuring safety of its citizens are the foremost priorities of the government,” he was quoted as saying. He said an impartial operation in Karachi was in the interest of all the stakeholders including MQM.

Speaking at the joint press conference, Maulana Fazl said that Muttahida has vowed to reconsider their decision of resigning from the National Assembly. Prime Minister Nawaz has also assured to address MQM’s grievances, he added.

It was agreed in the meeting that a committee will be formed to listen to legitimate reservations of MQM, said the JUI-F chief. All reservations will be put forward before the committee, he added.

Maulana Fazl said further details will be finalised at the time of formation of the committee that will be comprised of lawmakers from the PML-N and other political parties.

The JUI-F chief said that time frame for the committee to finalise its conclusions will also be decided when the committee is formed.

Finance Minister Senator Dar said the prime minister’s vision was to take all political forces in the country onboard. “We also played a role on the PTI MNA’s resignations issue,” he said.

The PML-N leader said the proposed committee will be tasked to resolve the matter in accordance with the law and the Constitution. Economic stability will be achieved with political stability in the country, he added.

Earlier today, during the federal cabinet’s meeting PM Nawaz Sharif emphasised that the operation in Karachi was only against criminal elements and it was being praised not only by the residents of the metropolis but by everyone.

He said the operation will be carried on without any interruption and that it will yield positive results.