to quit the party, rumours of a potential reaction were soon circulating and many business owners decided to shut up shop again.
Parting speech today?
Altaf’s remarks came in an interview with a private television channel in which the MQM chief, claiming that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had “never accepted him”, accused the country’s premier agency of having implicated him in false corruption cases. Alluding to the judicial movement that led to the ouster of former president Pervez Musharaf, he alleged that the ISI’s role in the entire campaign had never been in doubt for him.
As for the killings of workers in Karachi, Altaf categorically held Sindh Chief Minsiter Qaim Ali Shah responsible for their murders and, according to a statement on the party website, alleged that the 36 activists had been killed at the behest of the provincial government.
As Altaf also expressed displeasure over Governor Ishratul Ebad’s performance, the situation was seen by many as having reached an unprecedented level and the MQM top brass was soon holding meetings to assess the scenario.
The gravity of the situation, according to a senior party official who requested anonymity, could be gauged from the fact that “he has asked us to select a new chief”. Most party leaders, however, refrained from comment.
PM’s intervention sought
Following requests by MQM Senator Babar Ghauri and the Coordination Committee, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be flying into Karachi on Friday (today) for a law and order meeting at the Governor House.
The MQM has requested PM Sharif to take notice of the unabated killings of its activists and has been assured by the premier that any person found to be involved in extrajudicial killings would be taken to task.
It was said that the MQM delegation would apprise the PM about their grievances against the Sindh government and some critical decisions were expected in this regard.
Patients suffer
A large number of patients were turned away at major public sector hospitals, including Jinnah, Civil and Abbasi Shaheed hospitals, due to a lack of transportation available because of the MQM's mourning call.
More than half of the doctors and paramedics were absent from their duties, officials said.
Other health services, including X-rays, lab tests and scans, could also not be carried out due to absence of technicians while many surgeries had to be postponed.
A small number of patients were seen at private health facilities and those who managed to reach the hospitals had to return without getting the required treatment due to absence of health professionals.
Ambulance services were also affected due to the strike and most petrol pumps and gas stations remained closed.