PPP should talk to Dr Qadri: Altaf

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has advised the main ruling party to send a high-powered PPP delegation to Dr Tahirul Qadri “for obtaining information and knowing his reservations”, said a statement released by the MQM on Wednesday.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik met Altaf Hussain in London on Tuesday and conveyed to him a message from President Asif Ali Zardari.

The two discussed the current political situation in the country with particular reference to Dr Qadri’s long march to Islamabad scheduled for January 14.

According to the statement, Malik requested Altaf to reconsider his decision to participate in the long march.

Altaf said rumours regarding the MQM parting ways with the government and trying to postpone the elections on the pretext of Dr Qadri’s long march were misleading the public.

Altaf said he and Dr Qadri had vehemently denied these rumours on several occasions.

“There are points of common interest in the manifestoes of different political parties, and these points bring them closer together,” said Altaf.

The MQM chief said he and Dr Qadri had invited all other political and religious parties, including the PPP, to join the ‘Journey for Revolution’.

During the meeting, Malik condemned the bomb blast targeting participants of a public gathering of the MQM in Karachi on Tuesday.

Malik assured Altaf that the attackers will be brought to book.

The minister had left for London soon after meeting President Zardari in Karachi and reportedly discussing with him Qadri’s planned long march.

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