MQM-P demands fresh census in Karachi

KARACHI - The Pakistan faction of Muttahida Qaumi Movement has demanded a fresh census in the metropolis while rejecting the provisional results of the sixth population census that according to them 'missed' 15 million people .

The demand was made by the MQM-P chief Farooq Sattar at a mammoth rally held at the Liaquatabad flyover staged to protest over the census results that gauged the population of Karachi to be 14.91 million.

The demonstrators were carrying tricolor party flags bearing ‘MQM-Pakistan’ and shouting slogans against the census results giving a boost to the embattled party leadership.

Basking in the warmth of people who flocked to the spot in droves, Dr Sattar expressed that MQM was still a force to reckon with clarifying that its popular support must be accepted and acknowledged.

He claimed that the actual number of people of Karachi was not reflected in the census results while taking a jibe that the authorities counted only women in Karachi.

The MQM-P chief equated the census results with pre-poll rigging terming the results 'unjust'.

The legislator said that if this census results was accepted then the people of urban areas of Sindh would not get their due share of water, employment and other resources.

'It was not only the issue of Mohajirs but it was the collective issue of every Karachiite irrespective of their ethnic origin' he observed.

In a veiled reference to those who switching loyalties, Sattar claimed that if the MQM-P was given due space all those who left the party would rejoin it.

Speaking on the occasion, Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar said that the party would never change its name.

“Our workers have sacrificed their lives for this name.” he asserted.

Meanwhile, MQM leader Faisal Subzwari affirmed that the party’s event was not in favour or against any group or party but for the sake of the people of Karachi.

Apart from asking the authorities to conduct the census afresh, the participants demanded that the over 150 “missing” persons be recovered immediately.

The gathering also called upon he relevant quarters to provide MQM-P political freedom and return its sealed office.