KARACHI: MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Thursday expressed deep concern over the police action of cordoning off Dr Tahir ul Qadri’s residence in Model Town area of Lahore,  reported. The government has not learnt any lessons from the Model Town tragedy, it seems, said Altaf.

Altaf said that once again the police force has been used to seal all roads leading to Qadri’s residence and Minhajul Quran Secretariat (MQS), adding that the police action is highly condemnable. He also condemned the large-scale police crackdown on Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers. He advised the government to show restraint and deal with the situation with poise and persistence instead of indulging in threats and warnings. Later, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) recommended to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to call an All Parties Conference (APC) over the ongoing political crisis.

MQM says the government will have to compromise to find political solution after the long march, adding that it would be better if a solution can be agreed upon now.

In their meeting with the Prime Minister, MQM delegate exchanged views over the political situation. The delegate comprised Dr Farooq Sattar, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Babar Ghauri and Naveed Jamil.
Following the meeting, Farooq Sattar told the press that the MQM has recommended the government to sit all political stakeholders down in an APC to fine a mutually agreed upon solution.
He said that there is need to work while keeping the eyes open, adding that everyone has to work for the supremacy of the constitution.

Sattar said that Prime Minister’s policy to engage into a dialogue is a welcome gesture. He said protesting and staging sit-ins is a political right, adding that it’s better to try talking before the long march takes place. Agencies