Author: Ahsan Mughal
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: The secretary general of the Mohair Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi), Shahid Faraz, has said that unity is the only path to survival, stability and political strength for the Mohajir community, warning that continued divisions will deepen economic and political marginalization. Speaking during a meeting with a delegation of senior Mohajir figures at the residence of party chairman Afaq Ahmed, Faraz expressed serious concern over what he described as long-standing injustices faced by Karachi and the “biased policies” of the Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government. He said that if the provincial government failed to abandon what he termed…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Former finance minister Miftah Ismail has criticized the current government, saying that exports cannot increase under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif due to a “mindset problem.” Ismail acknowledged that while increasing exports is the right goal, the question remains how it can be achieved. He argued that the government appears focused on reassuring the business community by seeking concessions from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), rather than taking steps that visibly demonstrate economic growth. “If incentives are to be given to the wealthy, the IMF is persuaded; but concessions for the poor are not,” he said. Ismail…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Chairman of Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) Afaq Ahmed has expressed deep concern over the growing extortion, threats to the business community, and the apparent failure of law enforcement in Karachi. Addressing traders from Haidri Market, Afaq Ahmed said that the city is currently under a reign of fear, with builders and investors facing insecurity. He criticized the government and powerful authorities for failing to provide a serious solution, warning that if the situation persists, it will have disastrous consequences not only for Karachi but for the national economy as well. He questioned the effectiveness of law…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: The anguish of the fall of Dhaka continues to resonate deeply within Pakistan, Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) chairman Afaq Ahmed said, drawing a stark comparison between past and present challenges in the country. Speaking at a prayer ceremony organized by his party to mark the anniversary of Dhaka’s fall, Ahmed warned that the use of force against one’s own people still posed a threat to national cohesion, echoing the circumstances that led to the 1971 breakup of the country. Addressing party members and families, Ahmed said the event was intended to ensure that younger generations understood…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Industrial and export sectors came under renewed strain on Monday as the president of the Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry warned that an ongoing strike by heavy-goods transporters had pushed national supply chains to the brink of paralysis, threatening shipments, production schedules and the country’s standing with overseas buyers. In a statement, FBATI president Sheikh Muhammad Tahseen said the suspension of cargo movement had severely disrupted the flow of both raw materials and finished goods, with manufacturers and exporters unable to move consignments to Karachi Port within agreed timelines. He said the delays…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: A young motorcyclist was killed in a traffic accident in Karachi on Monday, while 11 schoolgirls were injured in a separate road mishap, underscoring growing concerns over road safety in the city. The fatal incident took place near Magsi Chowk in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, within the limits of Malir Cantonment police. According to police, the motorcyclist lost control of his bike due to overspeeding, fell onto the road and struck the footpath, dying at the scene. His body was later shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for medico-legal formalities. Station House Officer Agha Abdul Rasheed said the deceased…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: At a training session for departmental heads at the Bahadurabad center, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, chairman of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P), said the real strength of any political movement rested in its ideology rather than in individual personalities. Dr. Siddiqui said those who drifted away from an organization’s core principles ultimately became captive to personal ego, losing their connection to the collective purpose and discipline that defined loyalty to the movement. He stated that MQM-P’s ethos requires members to subordinate personal ambitions to collective ideals and to dedicate themselves selflessly to the service of the…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Chairman of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan and Federal Minister for Education, issued a statement from Bahadurabad marking the historical significance of 16 December. He highlighted two tragic events: the fall of Dhaka in 1971 and the 2014 Army Public School (APS) Peshawar attack. Dr. Siddiqui noted that 16 December 1971 witnessed the breakup of Pakistan, a nation born from the tireless struggle of subcontinental Muslims, due to political marginalisation. He also recalled the APS Peshawar attack on 16 December 2014, in which over 200 students and teachers lost their lives in a…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: The Mohajir Qaumi Movement–Haqiqi (MQM-H) has expressed deep concern over the surge in street crime across Karachi and the apparent indifference of the provincial government and administration. Speaking during a meeting with a delegation of traders at the residence of Afaq Ahmed, MQM-H Secretary General Shahid Faraz condemned what he described as the government’s failure to protect citizens and maintain law and order. Shahid Faraz said that widespread corruption within the Sindh government had not only crippled the city’s infrastructure but also created an environment dominated by mafias and lawlessness. He argued that this unchecked criminal…
By Ahsan Mughal KARACHI: Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) has issued a stern warning over the ongoing chaos caused by unregulated water tankers and heavy vehicles in Karachi, citing a rising death toll and public safety concerns. Speaking at a meeting of the party’s city-wide organizational committees, MQM-H Chairman Afaq Ahmed said that so far this year, 806 people have been killed in accidents involving dumpers, trailers, and water tankers. He criticized the government for showing little concern over the loss of life or taking meaningful steps to address the issue. Ahmed said the party has repeatedly demanded that heavy vehicles…