MQM to contest LB polls in Punjab: Altaf

Urges workers to be ready; asks media to refrain from debating issue of new COAS

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement Chief Altaf Hussain on Friday announced that the MQM would take part in the local bodies’ (LB) elections from the Punjab province and called upon the party workers to prepare themselves mentally and physically to enter in the practice.

The MQM chief was speaking over phone to volunteers of Khidmat-i-Khalq Foundation (KKF) at a dinner hosted in their honour at its central camp in Karachi. The KKF’s In-charge former Senator Ahmed Ali, trustees, MQM Coordination Committee members, elected representatives and workers of its different departments were also present on the occasion, says a press release.

Terming the appointment of new Chief of Army Staff `an extremely sensitive issue’, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Chief Altaf Hussain appealed to the media, especially the hosts of TV talk shows to refrain from commenting and debating the issue.

“In fact, the act of making such a sensitive issue controversial or discussing the same amounts to an insult not only to the high position but also to the institutions responsible for the country’s survival,” he added.

Elaborating, on the subject, Mr Hussain said that “his request to the media is that if they have to say anything on such a highly sensitive issue then they should only emphasise that the appointment on this sensitive position must not be made on the basis of recommendation, friendship, relations, liking or disliking, but purely on merit and merit alone.”

Referring to the issue of talks with Taliban, Altaf Hussain said that at a time when the country was passing through a critical juncture, the need of the hour was not to cause any harm to the writ of the government and armed forces by demonstrating any haste in holding dialogues with Taliban. “Unnecessary and uncalled for criticism comments can affect the morale of the country’s security institutions and its personnel and the country cannot afford this at this time,” he opined.

He said that whether or not others extend their support but millions of MQM workers would extend their full cooperation to the government and security institutions, he declared.“At present, two important issues one relating to the appointment new COAS and another whether to hold dialogues with Taliban or war are being debated in the media,” Mr Hussain said, adding that his earnest appeal to the media, in general and, hosts of TV talk shows in this regard would be to refrain from discussing the highly sensitive issue of new Army chief’s appointment in the interest of the country.