US Ambassador Anne W Patterson on Monday paid a farewell visit to the headquarters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Nine Zero and extended heartfelt condolences over the demise of former convenor Rabita Committee, Dr Imran Farooq.
The move carries significance if seen in the backdrop of the Sunday's statement of MQM's self-exiled chief, Altaf Hussain, who had alerted the party workers against an untoward situation likely to arise after his elimination at the hands of 'international powers'.
Accompanied by US Consul General in Karachi William Martin, Patterson was received by MQM Co-ordination Committee's Deputy Convenor Dr Farooq Sattar. Later, Sattar told media that in the talks with the US envoy, the MQM leadership expressed its concerns over the conviction of woman scientist Dr Afia Siddiqui by the US court. He said his side had also sought Washington's support in seeking security for MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain.
According to Dr Sattar, the American ambassador expressed condolences over the assassination of Dr Imran Farooq. Earlier, the outgoing US official also paid a farewell call on Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah at Chief Minister House along with the US CG William J Martin.
According to an official statement, the envoy discussed matters of mutual interest informing the chief minister that her country had supported the restoration of democracy and civilian rule in Pakistan. She said the US had always fully respected the democratic institutions while providing maximum assistance and co-operation to the present democratic government. The ambassador apprised the Chief Minister that her country expanded relief assistance more than any other country for combating the flood situation. She said the international community was also being mobilised to assist Pakistan.
She said that the Donor's Conference would be held in Pakistan in November for which international institutions would impart their responsibilities for the rehabilitation of people and the provision of infrastructure. Patterson also expressed her satisfaction over the security measures in the metropolis. The chief minister apprised the US ambassador about the flood losses in Sindh. He said the capacity of police had been increased and special measures taken to improve the law and order in the province.
Comments
Comments are closed.