MQM using ‘scare tactics’ to win local govt polls: Afaq

Karachi
Claiming the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was trying to win the upcoming third phase of local bodies poll at ‘gunpoint’, Mohajir Qaumi Movement- Haqiqi (MQM-H) chief Afaq Ahmed on Wednesday said that if the situation remained the same, his party workers were duty bound to ‘defend’ themselves.
If the MQM managed to gain a victory by making use of these tactics, the ongoing operation and the Rangers reputation would be at stake, Ahmed further stated.
Addressing a press-conference at his temporary residence in Clifton, he said that although a sense of security among the city’s residents had to some extent been restored by the Rangers led operation, but, “the MQM’s continued harassment during election campaigns had raised several questions.”
He demanded of the concerned authorities to provide protection to MQM-H’s candidates and that Rangers be deployed both in and outside the polling stations.
Expressing the party’s resolve to take all obstacles in its stride and not leave any space for mafias to take advantage of, the party chief claimed he had asked all his supporters and party leaders to not react to conspiracies being hatched by ‘certain forces’ to keep MQM-H out of the elections.
Ahmed also dismissed the talk of both the parties (MQM, MQM-H) having joined hands as a mere rumour circulated to confuse Mohajirs in order to divide their votes.
“We do not oppose any personality but are against MQM’s connections with countries beyond our geographical boundaries and its relations with India which were openly admitted by its arrested party leaders.”
He also complained of his party workers being arrested and harassed and that he had conveyed the party’s grievances, in this regard, to IG Sindh, the home minister, Rangers Sindh Corps Commander, chief election commissioner, besides also filing applications at the concerned police stations but all efforts went in vain.
He claimed both the MQM and the PPP had colluded with each other to grab seats in the local government elections.
“If these policies of harassment and threats did not stop then we would also show our strength,” the MQM-H chief was reported to have said.