EUROPEAN UNION OBSERVERS MET WITH DR FAROOQ SATTAR

AND MEMBERS OF MQM COORDINATION COMMITTEE AT

MQM HEAD OFFICE NINE ZERO

Karachi – 17^th April 2008

The two-member delegation of European Union Observers visited the MQM Head Office Nine Zero today. They met with MQM Deputy Convenor Dr Farooq Sattar, Members of MQM Coordination and Diplomatic Committee. The meeting lasted for 2 hours. The delegation comprised of Chief Observer Mr Michael Gahler (MEP) and Deputy Observer Ms Hannah Roberts. The MQM delegation comprised of MQM Member of Coordination Committee Mr Shoaib Bukhari Advocate and MQM Members of National Assembly Hyder Abbas Rizvi, Mrs. Khush Bakht Shujaat, Mrs Fauzia Ejaz, MQM Parliamentary Leader in Sindh Assembly Syed Sardar Ahmed, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Faisal Sabzwari, Members of Sindh Assembly Askari Taqvi, Raza Haroon, Nadia Gabol and City Naib Nazim Mrs Nasreen Jalil.

The European Union delegation discussed with the MQM delegation the issues with regards to recent elections in Pakistan and in particular the political and other issues relating to Sindh province. The delegation also appraised the MQM delegation on their final report on the general elections.

After the meeting Dr Farooq Sattar while briefing the media said that we have drawn the attention of European Union Observers towards news item appearing in some newspapers and also some inappropriate remarks with reference to the MQM mentioned in their report and have termed this baseless and totally wrong. The Chief Observer of European Union Observers Michael Gahler clarified that certain newspapers have misreported their press conference whereas he has not leveled those allegations against the MQM either in the report or in the press conference. The European Observers assured the MQM leaders that they will further issue clarifications in this regard.

Dr Farooq Sattar said that we have informed the European delegation that MQM not only believed in electoral reforms but also wants the process of national reconciliation and democracy to continue and consider it essential. MQM is peacefully struggling for it and it is part of its election manifesto as well. Dr Farooq Sattar said that whether it is the issue of constituting an independent election commission or the issue of electoral lists or discussion on the complaint system of the election commission, we believe that reforms are much needed and should be done as soon as possible because it will be beneficial for the future election process and democratic norms. Dr Farooq Sattar said that we have drawn the attention of the European Observers towards certain inappropriate parts of the reports and have informed that they are entirely false, fabricated and baseless and not related with the Election. Chief Observer has not only agreed but also assured that they will review and try to make amends. The talks were held in a cordial atmosphere. At the time of press briefing Members of Coordination Committee Mr. Shoaib Bukhari Advocate, Members of National Assembly Mr. Hyder Abbas Rizvi, Mohtarma Khush Bakht Shujaat and MQM Parliamentary Leader in Sindh Assembly Syed Sardar Ahmed were also present.