ISLAMABAD : The repeated attacks on public meetings of political parties currently facing security threats have ostensibly compelled Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to adopt a cautious approach to start its election campaign even in Punjab.
MQM known for organizing frequent mammoth public rallies has not yet appeared in Punjab with any big political leaders to start its election campaign, whereas, corner meetings are too yet to gain momentum.
Background interviews and discussions with party members have left this impression that the security threats have affected on parties and party lovers to avoid public gatherings as a part of the election campaign thus preferring to hold only ‘corner meetings’.
Sources in MQM shared that party members have received certain security threats from TTP to refrain them from holding public meetings as a part of election campaign so they were also not holding ‘corner meeting’ frequently.
The name of the party is among those which received threats from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to ask people to avoid rallies of parties that were part of the former ruling alliance particularly those of PPP, MQM and ANP.
It was also reported that MQM’s chief campaigners, Dr Farooq Sattar and Haider Abbas Rizvi - the two firebrand speakers - are also facing ‘security issues’, making the party campaign quite challenging.
It is relevant to note here MQM as per its strategy is in planning to field candidates in all constituencies of Punjab and KhyberPakhtun khwa (KPK) despite having idea of having almost same panorama (result of 2008 elections) for the party.
As Muttahida in previous elections fielded 39 candidates from Punjab with the hope to bag almost one seat but could not secure even a single seat and in Punjab constituencies even not get second or third position. The situation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) is also not much different from Punjab.
MQM as per their tall claims though never forged pre-poll alliances but this time their options are open for political partnership in Punjab to get some breath in parliament from Punjab.
The sources said that in Punjab two candidates including Mirza Furqan Ali Mughal (PP-196) Multan- III and Iftikhar Ahmed Randhawa (NA-159) are bit strong to bag comparatively some votes.
It would not be out of place to mention here that Muttahida had already dropped its idea to hold nationwide referendum asking people whether they wanted Quaid’s Pakistan or Taliban’s Pakistan, which they postponed thrice sharing different reasons.
A number of attempts were made to contact MQM spokesman but he was not available on cell phone.
However, he has shared with this paper around a weeks before that party would start its public meetings soon after finalizing candidates for May,2013 elections.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), is also among political parties that were issued threat but they would hold public meeting across the country where they have planned to field their candidates. He had said they had recently hold a huge public gathering in Naushero Feroze and Mir Pur Khas last month despite the threats.
The MQM had divided Punjab into three zones - centre, south and upper Punjab. Although all these three zones are being headed by the local leadership but reportedly Nine-Zero is still the epicenter of their real power.
Deputy Convener of MQM Dr Farooq Sattar has been designated to handle the electoral affairs in Punjab, top MQM leadership still not paying visits or address to gathering.