MQM ministers submit resignations to Rabita Committee; no compromise on Hyderabad: Altaf Hussain

LONDON: Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Hussain yesterday said that a conspiracy has been hatched to trigger ethnic riots and sabotage the current atmosphere of harmony among permanent residents of Sindh.

This he said while speaking at the Rabita Committee’s meeting held simultaneously in London and Karachi yesterday.

He said that the MQM had been striving hard to end the rural-urban divide and to create ethnic harmony in Sindh for the past many years. However, he noted that some so-called leaders and ministers of the ruling PPP were making an attempt to start ethnic riots in the province with the help of nationalist parties. Those trying to start a clash between permanent residents of Sindh are agents of the feudalists and landlords, he remarked. The MQM chief also directed the concerned persons to remain vigilant of any plot against the people of Sindh. Hussain urged the Haq Parast people to deal with the situation amicably.

Meanwhile, sources close to the MQM said that the meeting decided that no compromise would be made on the issue of Hyderabad and if any decision is taken in this regard without the consent of the MQM, the party would part its ways.

The meeting of the MQM Coordination Committee has resolved to go to any extent to “resist moves” to change the administrative set-up of Hyderabad, sources further added. Coordination Committee would continue its deliberations today and an official statement from MQM is likely to be issued later in the evening.

Sources further said that Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik who is in London yesterday met with some MQM leaders including Dr. Farooq Sattar , Babar Ghouri and Muhammad Anwer who went to offer their condolences over the demise of his mother-in law.

A meeting between Rehman Malik and MQM leadership in party chief Altaf Hussain can not be ruled out today with a view to easing down the charged atmosphere, hinted some sources. Sources further claimed that the provincial and federal ministers belonging to MQM yesterday submitted their resignations to the Coordination Committee in protest against the possible restructuring of Hyderabad district by its coalition partner, Pakistan Peoples Party.(NC Report)