Malik asks Altaf to review decision on long march
03 January, 2013
KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday requested Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain to review his decision regarding taking part in a long march on Islamabad on January 14. However, Altaf told Malik that it would only be advisable if a high-powered delegation of the PPP met Dr Tahirul Qadri for getting information and knowing about his reservations. During a meeting with Rehman Malik in London, the MQM chief further said the delegation should directly ask Dr Qadri as to what type of reforms does he want, according to a statement issued by the MQM. Altaf said that the elements spreading the rumour that MQM would part ways with the government; that the MQM wants elections to be postponed under the umbrella of the long march or that the MQM wants to derail the democratic system are trying to mislead the public. He said that he himself and Dr Qadri had vehemently denied these rumours on several occasions. "There are points of common interests in the manifestoes of different political parties and these points bring them closer," Altaf said. He said that there should be no ill will between the parties having common interests. He said that he and Dr Qadri had invited all other political and religious parties, including the PPP, to join the "journey for revolution" for the national security and integrity. On the occasion, Malik discussed the current political situation in the country with particular reference to the scheduled long march. He also condemned the bomb blast after the huge public gathering of the MQM in Karachi on Tuesday. He expressed his grief and sorrow over the killings of MQM workers. End.
|
