- MQM-P ‘calls emergency press conference’ on security removal.
- Federal ministers Khalid Maqbool and Mustafa Kamal lose security.
- Farooq Sattar, Anis Kaimkhani and Ali Khurshidi’s security is withdrawn.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) raised serious concerns after security was withdrawn from its ministers, legislators and key leaders in the early hours of Tuesday.
Security has been abruptly withdrawn from MQM-P leaders, including federal ministers and Sindh Assembly members, raising concerns within the party, sources said.
This development comes after harsh criticism from MQM-P and AMP ministers against the Sindh government, particularly over the Gul Plaza tragedy.
Sources aware of the development said Geographic news that the party leadership had issued strong statements against the provincial government following the deadly mall fire that claimed 73 lives and a search operation to find missing persons is still underway.
Security cover has been withdrawn from federal ministers Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Mustafa Kamal, senior leaders Farooq Sattar, Anis Qaimkhani as well as MQM-P opposition leader in Sindh Assembly Ali Khurshidi.
Party sources described the situation as alarming and decided to call an emergency press conference to respond to the withdrawal of security measures and present the MQM-P’s position on the matter.
Last week, the MQM-P, a key ally of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led coalition government, demanded that Karachi be declared a federal territory under Articles 148 and 149 of the Constitution, calling it necessary “for the good of Pakistan”.
Expressing anger over the Gul Plaza fire, MQM-P leader and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal criticized the Sindh government and said Karachi cannot be left at its mercy.
Kamal asked, “How many more accidents must we endure? How many more bodies must we recover? How many more children will fall into open sewers and die?”
He added: “This democratic terrorism in Sindh should end immediately” and called for the abolition of the 18th Amendment, stating that it has become a “cancer for the country”.
The Sindh government, however, rejected the criticism and said the MQM-P was politicizing the tragedy.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said: “Those who burned people alive to extort money from them are politicizing the Gul Plaza fire.”
Memon also criticized the timing of Kamal’s remarks against the 18th Amendment, urging that political debate occur in the assembly rather than outside rhetoric, which he said would accomplish nothing.
