LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) on Tuesday submitted resolutions in the Punjab Assembly against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain’s hate speeches and subsequent attacks on media houses in Karachi.
In the condemnation resolution submitted by PTI lawmaker Shoaib Siddiqui, provocative statements of MQM Chief and attacks in ARY NEWS and Samaa by the party’s activists were strongly condemned.
The resolution also expressed solidarity with the affected media houses and the journalist community.
On Monday evening, MQM workers turned to violence after being told by their party chief to surround the offices of Geo News, Samaa and ARY in Karachi.
During his address, the MQM supremo made statements against Pakistan and urged activists to voice slogans against the country. At least one person reportedly injured in the firing near Zainab market succumbed to his wounds at the hospital.
Two other people sustained injuries during the violent attacks in which around 2,000 party workers reportedly took part.
The workers also caused damage to shops located in Zainab market in the city’s Saddar area forcing their closure. Traffic jams were witnessed in areas surrounding I.I.Chundrigar road, while the road leading to CM House was also blocked.
The sudden unrest in the city prompted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to direct authorities for immediate arrest of all those involved in violence. He said that adequate security must be provided to journalists in Karachi.
On the other hand, the MQM has condemned the move and said that it held a gathering at Mazar-e-Quaid on May 12 to highlight the issue of ‘extra-judicial killing and forced disappearances’ of its workers.
