MQM leaves APC over demands

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) left the All Parties Conference (APC) after developing differences over the demand for resignations of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif as well as Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, said sources.
However, responding to a query, Chairman Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri claimed MQM has extended its full support to the APC. "The APC has full support of MQM but they left the meeting to attend another engagement," he added.
The sources said MQM Pakistan Chairman Dr Farooq Sattar had mentioned in his speech that the APC should also play its role in getting justice for 1,200 martyrs of MQM who were killed in Karachi and Hyderabad.
Pakistan Sarzameen Party (PSP) Chairman Mustafa Kamal, however, said in his speech that he would not make any such demand in the APC. He further reminded the participants who are demanding justice for the martyrs of Karachi that they have supported the amendment which enabled Nawaz Sharif to become party president despite his disqualification.
This comment raised many eyebrows in the meeting which was followed by a conversation between Dr Qadri and Dr Sattar in a corner of the hall. After this, the MQM delegation left the APC.
Earlier, the participants of the meeting could not hide their laughter when Sheikh Rasheed congratulated Dr Qadri for bringing the PSP and "MQM London" closer through the APC. However, he corrected himself immediately after realizing his mistake. On a lighter note, Dr Sattar added that MQM London should also be considered as part of the APC.
Dr Sattar had nominated Amir Khan from MQM for the committee chosen in the APC for drafting the resolution. Despite the fact that Amir Khan joined drafting of the resolution, MQM delegation left the APC after a chat between Dr Sattar and Dr Qadri, the sources said.