Pakistan MQM MPs quit, alleging victimisation

AFP, KARACHI: Lawmakers from a major Pakistani opposition party resigned their seats Wednesday in protest at what they describe as a campaign of victimisation against them The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the fourth largest party in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament, quit all its seats in the assembly, in the Senate (upper house) and in the Sindh provincial assembly.
The party, which dominates politics in the country’s largest city Karachi, says it has been unfairly targeted in a police and paramilitary crackdown on violence in the city, the Sindh provincial capital.
Tensions have been rising between MQM chief Altaf Hussain and the powerful military establishment in recent weeks.
“The members of parliament from MQM, eight senators, 24 MNAs (members of the National Assembly) and 51 members of provincial Sindh assembly, have resigned in protest against the injustice, political victimisation and pushing the party to wall,” senior party leader Farooq Sattar told reporters in Islamabad.

Pakistan MQM MPs quit, alleging victimisation

AFP, KARACHI: Lawmakers from a major Pakistani opposition party resigned their seats Wednesday in protest at what they describe as a campaign of victimisation against them The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the fourth largest party in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament, quit all its seats in the assembly, in the Senate (upper house) and in the Sindh provincial assembly. The party, which dominates politics in the countrys largest city Karachi, says it has been unfairly targeted in a police and paramilitary crackdown on violence in the city, the Sindh provincial capital. Tensions have been rising between MQM chief Altaf Hussain and the powerful military establishment in recent weeks. The members of parliament from MQM, eight senators, 24 MNAs (members of the National Assembly) and 51 members of provincial Sindh assembly, have resigned in protest against the injustice, political victimisation and pushing the party to wall, senior party leader Farooq Sattar told reporters in Islamabad.