MQM’s nationwide referendum postponed till Nov 14

KARACHI: A nationwide referendum on ‘Taliban or Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan, the brainchild of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM ), which was originally scheduled for November 8 has been postponed, Geo News reported.

The referendum, which asks the people of Pakistan to make a choice between Taliban’s way of life and the founder of the nation --Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan-- will now be held on November 14, a statement issued by MQM Coordination Committee said Monday.

Earlier on Sunday, calling the threat of religious extremism the biggest challenge faced by the country, MQM deputy convener Farooq Sattar, had pulled the curtain on the said referendum.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Lal Qila ground, he said, “It’s a now or never situation, we have to decide,” he said.

Sattar said that religious extremists are targeting mosques, Imambargahs, shrines and schools. Also that they are attacking defence installations and are killing personnel of police, Rangers, FC and armed forces in a horrific manner.

He said that it was the MQM chief Altaf Hussain who had first warned the country about the growing religious extremism and Talibanisation of Pakistan many years ago.

“It is unfortunate that the leaders of political and religious parties, certain intellectuals, anchor persons and journalists ridiculed him instead of taking his apprehensions seriously.”

He said that Quaid-e-Azam did not want Pakistan to become a theocratic state. He rather wanted Pakistan to be a liberal, secular and progressive state where the followers of every religion, sect and school of thought would be free to go to their places of worship.

He wanted Pakistan to become a state where everyone had equal rights and the freedom to fashion their lives according to their religious beliefs.

The Taliban, on the other hand, are trying to mutilate the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam by forcing their particular beliefs on others.

Meanwhile, a constitutional petition was filed in Sindh High Court (SHC) against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) referendum.

The petitioner, Haji Gul Ahmed, pleaded that holding referendum on sensitive issues was the sole prerogative of prime minister with the approval of parliament. Any political party or individual cannot hold such referendum, he said adding.

The petitioner also prayed that MQM’s referendum is treason against country’s law and constitution besides an act against parliament.