Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Thursday opposed the move of getting the results of national census passed from Council of Common Interests (CCI) and vowed to fight the case of Karachi at all forums, whose population has been undercounted. Addressing a press conference at Bahadurabad Markaz, leaders of MQM-P said that party would hold a conference soon to garner the public support on the issue. "Party is consulting with the top lawyers to approach apex court for the hearing on undercounted population of the city," they stated.
Deputy Convener of MQM-P's Coordination Committee Nasrin Jalil said that said that the provisional results of census are being given final approval through CCI, which is a source of concern because the population of Karachi has been undercounted in this census.
"The population of the Karachi has been shown half to its actual strength," Nasreen said and added that it is necessary to count the population of the city accurately to give its due share from the national resources.
Member Coordination Committee Faisal Sabzwari said that the undercounted population of the city is not against MQM-P but against the city and its residents.
He said that party is in process of contacting the other political parties and people of all walks of life on the issue. "We have also sought the time from Prime Minister and Chief Minister Sindh to inform them about the reservations on census issue," Sabzwari said.
He appealed to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to take up the Karachi population, undercounted in the census on the priority basis saying that party field two petitions one regarding census and other about empowering the local government institutions.
He said that results of the national census should be finalised after carrying out the audit of five percent blocks of Karachi, which was approved by parliament.
He said that the agreement between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and MQM-P for later's joining the former-led government also includes the third party audit of census regarding Karachi, which was also termed fair demand by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Meanwhile, party announced that its legislators in National Assembly submitted a call-attention notice about reports regarding approval of census results in CCI before carrying out the third party audit of five percent blocks of Karachi.