- “MQM-P ‘calls emergency press conference’ over impeachment over security concerns”.
- Federal Ministers Khalid Maqbool and Mustafa Kamal lose their security.
- The safety of Farooq Sattar, Anis Kaimkhani and Ali Khurshidi removed.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has expressed serious concerns after security was withdrawn from its chief ministers, lawmakers and leaders in the early hours of Tuesday.
Security was abruptly withdrawn from MQM-P leaders, including federal ministers and members of the Sindh Assembly, raising concerns within the party, sources said.
The development follows strong criticism by MQM-P and MPA ministers against the Sindh government, particularly over the Gul Plaza tragedy.
Sources aware of the development said PK Press Club News that the party leadership had issued strong statements against the provincial government following the deadly mall fire that claimed the lives of 73 people and that a search operation is still underway to find the missing people.
Security cover was withdrawn from federal ministers Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Mustafa Kamal, senior leaders Farooq Sattar, Anis Qaimkhani, as well as MQM-P opposition leader in Sindh Assembly Ali Khurshidi.
Party sources described the development as alarming and decided to hold an emergency press conference to react to the withdrawal of security forces and outline the MQM-P’s position on the issue.
Last week, the MQM-P, a key ally of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led coalition government, demanded that Karachi be declared a federal territory under Articles 148 and 149 of the Constitution, calling it necessary “for the good of Pakistan”.
Expressing anger over the Gul Plaza fire, MQM-P leader and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal slammed the Sindh government, saying Karachi cannot be left at its mercy.
Kamal asked, “How many more accidents do we have to endure?” How many more bodies do we need to recover? How many more children will fall into open sewers and die?
He added, “This democratic terrorism in Sindh should stop immediately” and called for the abolition of the 18th Amendment, saying it has become a “cancer for the country”.
The Sindh government, however, rejected the criticism, saying the MQM-P was politicizing the tragedy.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said, “Those who burned people alive for extortion are politicizing the burning of Gul Plaza.
Memon also criticized the timing of Kamal’s remarks against the 18th Amendment, calling for a political debate in the Assembly rather than outside rhetoric, which he said would lead nowhere.
