STOP PRESS - STOP PRESS

MQM HAS NOT WITHDRAWN ITS APPEAL TO BOYCOTT THE LOCAL BODIES ELECTIONS - DR IMRAN FAROOQ

London - 1 July 2001

The Convenor of Central Coordination Committee Dr Imran Farooq has confirmed the reports about the telephonic conversation between the Founder and Leader of MQM Mr Altaf Hussain and Federal Interior Minister Retd General Moeen Uddin Haider, about the malicious and negative reports published in different newspaper that MQM or some of its members are threatening and putting pressure on the candidates who are contesting the local bodies elections. Dr Imran Farooq further said that MQM and Mr Hussain have appealed the people to peacefully keep themselves away from taking part in the Local Bodies Elections because of the reservations of the MQM over dividing Karachi into 18 parts with malicious designs.

Dr Imran Farooq has categorically denied that during the conversation Mr Hussain has withdrawn the appeal made by the MQM of boycotting the Local Bodies Elections. He appealed to the people to peacefully boycott the local bodies elections.