'Turncoat' denies his defection: MQM resents PML tactics for split
By Our Staff Correspondent

HYDERABAD, Aug 7: The former in-charge of sector-G, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Hyderabad, Asghar Comrade, in a purported statement has said that he was forced to join PML under pressure.

In a signed statement, he has said that he was threatened that if he did not join PML, his entire family will be arrested.

He is reported to have said this at the MQM zonal office in presence of Tariq Javed and MPAs, Dr Arif Kazmi and Syed Afzaal Ahmed Shah.

He expressed full confidence in the leadership of Altaf Hussain.

Meanwhile, Tariq Javed, one of the central leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and a member of the National Assembly, has claimed that it was for the first time in the history of Hyderabad, since the emergence of the MQM, the PML government had committed 'a dacoity on the city' and forced a handful of people to give up their allegiance with the Movement.

Flanked by MPAs, Zaffar Rajput, Syed Afzaal Ahmed Shah and Nawab Mirza, he was addressing a hurriedly called press conference at the party's zonal office here on Saturday night.

He claimed that some of these turncoats had either been expelled from the party due to their criminal activities and immoral turpitude while inquiries were pending against the others. "One thing is as clear as daylight that these turncoats have either been harassed and intimidated or given temptation," he said adding that it did not make the slightest difference if a few drops were taken out of an ocean.

The MQM leader claimed that Hyderabad had remained the fort of MQM and Altaf Hussain since 1978.

He said that these turncoats, many of whom MQM discards and criminals, were being patronised and protected by the agencies.

He claimed that horse-trading and 'lotacracy' were introduced by the PML and this was again being practised today. He said that this was a repeat performance of June 19, 1992 when terrorists were brought in trucks in Karachi but the people had stoodfast behind the Quaid-i-Tahreek like a rock.

He lashed out at Haleem Siddiqui for his 'anti-Mohajir' activities and said that people would not forgive him. He warned that Mr Siddiqui would be made accountable for his atrocious activities.

Mr Javed said that the military operation, launched by Nawaz Sharif in 1992, was still under way.

He read out a statement purported to have been written and signed by one of the detractors, Mohammad Naeem Arain, who has categorically denied having dissociating himself from MQM.

The statement said that he would remain loyal to the supreme leader, Altaf Hussain to his last breath. When he was asked to explain why his party had rejoined PML government for the second time despite excesses in 1992, he said that Muttahida believed in democracy and table talk.