KARACHI: Head of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Bahali Committee Dr Farooq Sattar announced to support MQM-P’s political movement against ‘controversial’ delimitations and raising voices for strong Local Government (LG) system.

Dr Farooq Sattar made announcement after meeting MQM-P Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui at his residence in PIB Colony. During meeting, Dr Siddiqui invited Dr Sattar to attend upcoming protest scheduled for January 11.

Sattar said that he has already warned MQM-P leaders of their mistake by signing political agreement with ruling Pakistan Peoples’ Party in Sindh. He announced to start joint political efforts with MQM-P leadership for rights of urban Sindh areas. Sources told that Dr Farooq Sattar assured Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui of attending MQM-P’s protest against delimitations.

He complained about not counting Muhajirs in population census and depriving them of basic human rights. He criticised PPP for not complying with political agreements with MQM-P. Addressing joint press conference, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that pre-poll rigging is started in Karachi and Hyderabad ahead of LG polls via flawed delimitations and bogus voter lists.

Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui welcomed Dr Farooq Sattar for announcing his support to MQM-P demands. He said that union councils of Muhajir majority areas is based on 80,000 to 100,000 citizens, on other hand, remaining UCs are based on 25,000 to 30,000 people where Muhajirs are not in majority.

Dr Siddiqui slammed Election Commission of Pakistan for not fulfilling its responsibility for conducting free and fair LG polls.

He said that they have no other option other than taking to streets for their due rights. He, however, clarified that MQM-P will not boycott LG polls and give tough time to its political rivals.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 09 2023

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