Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has criticised the MQM leadership over its recent press conference, accusing the party of promoting divisive politics in the province, reported 24NewsHD TV.
In a statement, Memon said the MQM leadership's language was unacceptable and alleged that the party was trying to revive the politics of the 1990s. His remarks come amid an ongoing political dispute between the PPP-led Sindh government and MQM-P over provincial governance and the issue of new administrative units.
Memon specifically criticised MQM leaders Mustafa Kamal and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, alleging that they were pursuing a political path associated with the 1990s.
He accused the MQM of having brought a politics of extortion, kidnappings for ransom, violence and arson to Karachi, and said attempts to create hatred on ethnic lines would be opposed.
Referring to the debate over new provinces, Memon said the Sindh Assembly had already expressed its position through a resolution. The Sindh Assembly has previously passed a resolution opposing the division of Sindh or creation of new administrative units in the province.
Memon further claimed that a majority of Urdu-speaking people consider themselves Sindhis and accused the MQM of once again attempting to fuel ethnic divisions.
He also challenged the MQM's criticism of the Sindh government, saying the party should first prove its electoral mandate before claiming representation.
“When MQM leaders talk about mandate, people laugh,” Memon said, adding that the party would not have avoided local government elections if it had enjoyed the majority it claimed.