The Deputy Convenor of the MQM's Central Co-ordination Committee Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi on Thursday said that MQM's Public Referendum "is the beginning of a new chapter of democracy in Pakistan". He was addressing a press briefing at MQM's headquarters 'Nine-Zero' on the occasion of the party's 'Public Referendum 2013' which was held to seek workers' opinion on whether or not to join the Sindh government.
Dr Khalid Maqbool pointed out that his party had promised to seek public and workers' opinions soon after receiving the invitation to join the Sindh government a few days ago and said that his party would make a decision in the "light of the majority votes".
Dr Khalid Maqbool said MQM had introduced a strong and stable democratic system and its practical proof was the "amazing participation of public in this referendum across Sindh". He said that former MNA Dr Abdul Qadir Khanzada had been appointed as the Chief of Election Commissioner of this Public Referendum while renowned intellectual Long Khan Channa and poet Khwaja Rafique Anjum and Hameeduz Zafar were members of the election commission. Dr Khalid that as many as 5 million ballot papers had been printed, but "it seems more papers will be required". Because of the huge public interest.