Conspiracies are being done to harm the vote bank of the MQM by gerrymandering constituencies
Accountability is a continuous process and there is no room for criminals in the MQM
The Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has demanded Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retired) Fakhruddin G Ibrahim to withdraw the notification for redrawing electoral constituencies in Karachi. He said that the right of the adult franchise of the people of Karachi was being denied by resorting to illegal and unconstitutional methods. He said that efforts were underway to harm the vote bank of the MQM by gerrymandering the constituencies.
Mr Hussain asked the Co-ordination Committee, legal advisers and constitutional experts of the MQM to challenge the decision of the Election Commission in the high court by filing a constitutional petition.
He was addressing a joint meeting of the Co-ordination Committee of the MQM in London and Pakistan. Legal advisers and constitutional experts were also present in the meeting.
Mr Hussain asked if the constituencies could be redrawn even after the announcement of the election schedule. The lawyers present in the meeting told Mr Hussain that the redrawing of some electoral constituencies in Karachi was completely illegal and unconstitutional.
Referring to the proceedings of the Karachi Lawlessness Case in the Supreme Court alleging the presence of militant wings in political parties, Mr Hussain categorically stated that there was no such wing in the MQM.
He said that accountability was a continuous process in the MQM and there was no room for criminal elements in the MQM. The MQM could not be blamed if someone declared after being arrested that he was affiliated with the MQM.
He said that an immediate inquiry is conducted if a complaint is received about the involvement of anyone affiliated with the MQM in anti-social activities. If the complaint is against anyone is found to be true, his party membership is cancelled and he is expelled from the party.
Mr Hussain urged President Asif Zardari and other people at the helm of affairs to take serious notice of false accusation and malicious campaign against the MQM or any other party. He said that the opponents of the MQM were afraid of its increasing popularity, and they were resorting to illegal, unconstitutional, undemocratic and unethical practices for harming its reputation. He said that the institutions wielding power should take notice of this smearing campaign.
He asked workers and office-bearers of the MQM to maintain unity among their ranks and defeat conspiracies through peaceful and democratic means. He also asked them to inform the public about the conspiracies being done against the MQM.