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Altaf softens stance after meeting Malik

Describing the demand for the transfer of the officers as a ‘non-issue,’ Malik said that the PPP would not sacrifice its partnership with the MQM for the sake of an officer or two. - Online photo

LONDON: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement climbed down its high horse and fudged its demand that the IGP of Sindh and the CCPO of Karachi be transferred while settling for a promise from PM’s adviser on Interior Rehman Malik that on his return from the US he would personally monitor the investigations into the recent bloody incidents in Karachi.

Describing the demand for the transfer of the officers as a ‘non-issue,’ Malik told the media after his marathon meeting with Muttahida leader Altaf Hussain here late on Saturday evening that the PPP would not sacrifice its partnership with the MQM for the sake of an officer or two. Altaf Hussain claimed that he had discussed with Malik the issue in great detail and accused the two officers of patronizing the land and drug mafia. He repeated his claim that Taliban were behind the recent killings in Karachi, ‘but they are using the drug and land mafia and criminals as a front’.

Malik said he would not spare anyone found guilty, ‘be they members of the PPP, ANP or MQM’. He said the prime minister had sent him to London as his special envoy to reassure Altaf Hussain about the government’s sincerity in investigating the bloody incidents and bringing to book the real culprits. He praised the MQM chief for his cooperation in bringing normalcy back to the city of Karachi. ‘We are also obliged to Asfandyar Wali Khan of the ANP for his cooperation in this connection.’

He said Asfandyar Wali was as concerned about Pakistan and its future as was Altaf Hussain.Answering a question, Hussain said he had no objection to Imran Khan’s visit to Karachi and Malik said since he was travelling he had not seen the report about the ban on Imran’s entry into Karachi.They issued a 10-point joint communiqué as well in which they reiterated what they had told the media at the briefing.

Source:Dawn Karachi:Staff Report:Monday, 04 May, 2009