Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has said some forces were hindering the process of organising the party in the Punjab province by initiating baseless and false propaganda against MQM. MQM leaders and members national assembly (MNAs) Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan and Dr Abdul Qadir Khanzada told newsmen here on Monday that agencies were trying to defame the party so as to check its popularity in the province. They clarified the sticker published in a newspaper showing burning of Pakistani flag along with the MQM flag was not the sticker of MQM.

"We have not prepared any such sticker, which in fact is a conspiracy against MQM", they added.

They demanded of the government to constitute a high level judicial commission to probe into the matter. They also urged the government to take action against the Editor of said newspaper. "We are consulting legal experts to initiate legal action against said newspaper", they added.

They also demanded of the government to formulate a code of ethics for newspapers so that such incidents could be avoided in future.

A few days ago, Director of National Crisis Management Cell also levelled false charges against MQM, they regretted.

To a question, they said the central leadership of the party would take decision regarding quitting the government.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005