ISLAMABAD: Senior leader of Mutahidda Quomi Movement (MQM) Dr Farooq Sattar Friday said his party is ready to cooperate with the government for purging the criminal elements from its ranks if any.

Speaking in the National Assembly, he asked the law enforcement agencies to share the list of criminal elements of MQM with the party to enable it to sift criminals from its ranks.

He said daily over 3,000 people visit party's head office `90' and party does not have a proper mechanism to scan the criminals.

"MQM respects the institutions including Pakistan Army, Sindh Rangers and Sindh Police adding party would continue its cooperation with the state institutions. There would be no resistance from the ranks of the party. Murderers, if present in the ranks of the party should be apprehended."

He said MQM has a role in achieving lasting peace in Karachi.

A Truth and Reconciliation Commission should be constituted to enable each political party to admit mistakes of the past.

He said a vacuum is being created in Karachi inadvertently by side lining a peace loving party. MQM has a role in the restoration and strengthening democracy.

Earlier, at the very outset of the proceedings of the House the members of the MQM stood up from their seats and demanded permission to speak regarding video statement of the condemned prisoner Saulat Mirza.

The speaker permitted Farooq Sattar to speak on a Point of Order.

The MNAs of MQM chanted slogans in favour of Altaf Hussain, and demanded permission to speak more. However, Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Lt Genral (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch, State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed and some other treasury members persuaded MQM members to calm down.

State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed moved the motion for suspension of question hour and other business of the House to enable Farooq Sattar to make a speech.

APP