KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders addressed a big rally in Karachi and announced to embark upon a campaign for 20 new provinces in Pakistan after Moharram.

MQM leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said there was a huge difference between Mohajirs and ‘Panah Guzin’ (refugees). “We represent the people who turned Hindustan into Pakistan,” he maintained.

MQM gave a call to observe a black day on Sunday to lodge its protest over what it described as derogatory remarks of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah against Mohajirs. Khalid Maqbool said Mohajirs are not only the owners of Sindh but also of Pakistan. In his concluding remarks, Siddiqui also announced to end the ‘black day’.

Earlier, Dr Farooq Sattar, in his speech, claimed that the call for ‘black day’ was overwhelmingly responded by the ‘people of Sindh’, making it a successful event. He said the feudal lords are spreading their control over the resources of entire Pakistan but “we will not let this oppression take root in the urban areas of Sindh’.

“You (Khursheed Shah) likened the word Mohajir to a swear-word in all your senses,” he snapped, adding, the MQM’s demonstration is for a supreme cause. Rauf Siddiqui said Mohajir is one who leaves his country and his home for the cause of religion. “Mohajir is the one who abandons everything for Pakistan.” He said this rally is a gathering of ‘Aashiqan-e-Rasool’ (lovers of the Prophet (PBUH). He said Khursheed Shah openly disrespected the word Mohajir. Agencies