MQM workers being forced to change loyalties: Nadeem Nusrat

KARACHI: The workers, supporters and followers of Muttahida chief are being pressurized to either join the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP), the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi) or else face dire consequences, alleged the London-based MQM senior convener, Nadeem Nusrat, at a press conference at the Khursheed Begum Memorial Hall here on Tuesday. 

Nadeem Nusrat was directly holding the press conference from London while local leaders were present on the occasion. Nadeem Nusrat asked the quarters concerned “to stop patronizing both the PSP and Haqiqi”, alleging that the MQM workers and supporters languishing in jails were being forced “to change their loyalty or they would be killed in jail”.

Both the PSP and Haqiqi were being given a free hand to pressurize the activists of the MQM, he alleged, saying “our workers in Landhi, Shah Faisal and Lines Area were being threatened and pressurized to join Haqiqi”. 

“In the wake of harassment by Haqiqi, many of our supporters migrated to other areas to avoid any untoward situation,” he said.  Nadeem Nusrat also alleged that their followers were also being harassed at the international level and asked to quit the MQM.  MQM, he said, would start a movement for more provinces.  He said that Karachi should be given the status of a separate administrative unit. 

“We will launch a movement for more provinces not on ethnic grounds but on administrative basis,” said Nadeem Nusrat. He also said that the ban on the Muttahida leader’s speeches should be lifted.