• MQM’s Khalid Maqbool met JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem
• JI refused further delaying in holding LG elections
• JI will not participate in the protest on Jan 9

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders held a meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on conducting fresh delimitations of constituencies before the Local Government elections.

MQM Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui led a delegation to JI provincial headquarters in Karachi Idara Noor-e-Haq and met with JI Karachi Amir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman.

Sources revealed that the meeting remained inconclusive as the Jamaat-e-Islami refused any delay in local bodies elections scheduled to be held on January 15.

During the meeting, they discussed the political situation in Karachi and matters related to the local bodies elections. The MQM also invited Jamaat-e-Islami to participate in the protest rally on January 9.

JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman asked about MQM’s strategy if their demands are not accepted. He asked if the MQM will quit the coalition government if the demands for fresh delimitation is not accepted.

Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that his party would consider the situation at that time. JI Karachi chief said the MQM should not have joined the government until the demands were fulfilled.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said they have differences with ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and have called for a protest on January 9,

Regarding his meeting with JI Karachi chief, he said that both parties believe in basic democracy and the local bodies elections were held earlier on the orders of the election commission and the courts.

JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem lamented that the path for democratic parties are limited and the situation cannot be easily rectified. He said local bodies elections were held during dictatorial regimes and democratic parties are hesitant.

He said local bodies elections should be held on time and the voter list is never fully correct. He said injustice was done with Karachi in the census. He said the MQM is included in PDM and also holds the Sindh governorship.

Sources revealed that MQM failed to convince Jamaat-e-Islami on fresh delimitations in Karachi. Jamaat-e-Islami will also not participate in the protest behind held on January 9 against the delimitation of constituencies and voters’ list.

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