As Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) observes black day in protest against “derogatory remarks” made by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah against “muhajirs”, Shah stressed religion and politics should be kept separate, Express News reported on Sunday.
On October 18, Shah had said that Urdu-speaking people of Pakistan were now permanent residents and should therefore stop calling themselves ‘muhajirs’. “The word ‘muhajir’ is a ‘gaali’ (curse) for me and I urge our friends to please stop referring to themselves as muhajir,” he had said.
Addressing the media in Sukkur today, the PPP leader said all Urdu-speaking people are his brothers. “We Sindhis would not let anyone break the province,” he added.
Speaking about the blasphemy charges levelled against him, Shah said several conspiracies had been formulated against me in the past as well. “Despite all these nefarious schemes against me, voters have elected me eight times and I have an important role to play in the politics of the country,” he stated.
Muhajir is a sacred term
Former PPP MNA Abdul Qadir Patel said that Shah’s statement was misunderstood and despite having issued an apology, the MQM is exploiting it.
“The word ‘muhajir’ is sacred and respected for me,” Patel said, questioning why the MQM removed it from their party name and changed it to Muttahida Qaumi Movement instead.
Addressing the media in Karachi, Patel said, “In politics there is a trend to exchange harsh words.”
Referring to the blasphemy charges levelled against Shah by MQM leaders, Patel said religion should be kept out of politics.
Further, he criticised the MQM for ‘shutting off’ news channels in parts of Karachi yesterday.
“To cover their news conferences held last night and their rally today they made you forcibly shut transmission.”
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