KARACHI - MQM chief Altaf Hussain appealed to the PTI and PAT to withdraw their ultimatums and remain limited to putting forward demands. “The Parties have exhibited patience and restraint so far and must keep their protests peaceful for the country’s sake,” he added.
In a statement on Sunday, Altaf paid tributes to the PTI and PAT leaders, workers and supporters for continuing their protest peacefully in bad weather and heavy rains. He also thanked the PML-N federal and Punjab governments for showing restraint and not using force against the protesters. He said there were reports that the police and administration had arrested workers of the protesting political parties and demanded that those workers should be released immediately. He asked the PTI and PAT to desist from entering the Red Zone and attacking government installations at all cost adding that violence should not be resorted to under any condition.
The MQM chief urged the government to show large-heartedness and start dialogues with the political parties that were carrying out the march. He said that the legitimate demands should be accepted immediately and assurance should be given to implement them. He said it was necessary to make every effort to resolve all issues by holding dialogues.
Altaf appealed to the PAT and PTI to let got their rigidity keeping in view the critical situation of the country and refrain from anything that could lead to confrontation. He asked them to show flexibility. He further said that Pak Army is engaged in the war against terrorists in North Waziristan while hundreds of thousands of people were forced to leave their homes and living a miserable life in camps. He said that the government and protesting political parties must consider this situation before embarking on a line of action. He warned that confrontation would not be in the interest of the country.
Meanwhile Federal Minister for Railways Khwaja Saad Rafique telephoned the MQM chief and discussed current political situation created after the anti-government protests by PTI and PAT. He thanked the MQM chief for playing a positive role to defuse the prevailing tension. He also said that the government is trying to resolve political crises through negotiations. Hussain was also of the view that dialogue could resolve the issues and end the political crisis in the country.
SARWAR DISCUSSES POLITICAL SITUATION WITH ALTAF
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar telephoned MQM Chief Altaf Hussain and discussed the current political situation with him. He appreciated Altaf Hussain’s role to resolve the ongoing political crisis and termed it very timely.
MQM Chief also applauded his efforts for resolving the issue.
He said that people, who involved in settling the issue, should be acknowledged for their roles.
He said that he prayed to reach for a unanimous resolution acceptable for both government and the other parties.