Salim says MQM will never cave in to threats

[Waqas 48]

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Rabta Committee member Salim Shehzad Thursday urged against the threats to the party, adding criticisms is the beauty of democracy; accordingly, the MQM is geared up to defend allegations against it.

Talking to Geo News, he said the statement by Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza regarding waiving off 3000 cases in Sindh under National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), may be his own opinion; however, this is not the policy of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

He added if the same is the PPP’s policy, then President Asif Ali Zardari should express it.

The MQM Rabta Committee member said the cases were abolished through a tribunal under the NRO, adding if Mirza deems it a fraud, then the entire NRO is a fraud.

Salim added if the Sindh Home Minister wants to re-open these criminal cases, then go ahead, MQM is quite ready to face them, adding if the Supreme Court (SC) or High Court announces to re-open these cases, then the party will welcome the decision.

However, he asserted that in addition to the criminal cases, all other cases should be re-opened.

Salim Shehzad said, ‘No threat could frighten us in past; nor it will happen in future,’ adding the cases on Muttahida were filed in the PPP tenure; all these cases are criminal to the complete exclusion of corruption cases.

The people conspiring to destabilize the government, want to spawn rifts between us, Salim said, ‘We are the ally of the government and want the government to complete its tenure.’

‘We will not play in anyone’s hands nor will we be part to any conspiracy. We did criticize the government; but, we did not level allegations in past nor will we do the same now.’

Regarding a question on bitterness with the PPP, he said MQM’s stance on the NRO might be the reason, adding the country is facing crises at present; hence, the circumstances necessitate forbearance.

‘If we went wrong somewhere, we will apologize, if they (PPP) are in the wrong, then they should set their direction right,’ he said urging against the allegations, as it would cause harm to the democracy.

Instead, the criticism should be aimed at reformation, he added.

On practical note, the MQM leader vowed that some Rabta Committee members would meet PPP leaders and will try to strike reconciliation between the parties.

Shehzad said a Rabta Committee member wrote down some poetry, which was his own opinion and party has nothing to do with it; however, the party is reviewing it.

‘December comes every year; we are not waiting for any ‘December’, as Muttahida wants the government to go the full length of its term,’ he maintained.