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Dehlavi warns

KARACHI: Meanwhile, Ajmal Dehlavi, MQM's Chief Negotiator for talks with the government has warned that if the oppression from the government continues the MQM will continue to give calls for strike in urban areas of Sindh.

The Coordination Committee of the MQM was considering giving call for strike in protest over the continued oppression against the MQM members including killing of some of them in police custody and will announce its decision either on Wednesday night or on Thursday. However, if the government gives an indication not to use force, than the call for strike can be postponed for some time, Dehlavi told newsmen.

He pointed out that the MQM Chief Altaf Hussain had made it clear that the MQM will launch agitation if oppression was resorted to by the government. "I hope that the government will show sincerity in restoring peace and ending oppression in the urban areas of Sindh province. But if this does not happen dire consequences will result," he further warned.

He disclosed that at Wednesday's talks with the government it was decided that both sides will stop provocative statements. "We also told the government that if the surrounding and siege of localities in urban Sindh continues, extra judicial killings in custody are not stopped then MQM will be free to launch agitation and protest against it," he added.