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Published 25 Dec, 2021 03:06pm

Amir Liaquat’s overture for talks with MQM's Altaf divides Twitter

Social media users were divided Saturday about PTI lawmaker Amir Liaquat’s overture towards MQM leader Altaf Hussain, with a few terming it as appropriate and others saying such statements could harm the country.

“Never forget, if talks can be held with the Taliban then talks can also be held with [MQM founder] Altaf Hussain,” he said to a charged crowd during the rally. In the video, Liaquat is seen with MQM leader Farooq Sattar who does not respond.

The PTI leader’s statement comes after the government’s amnesty offers to the TTP that ended without any fruitful results as the banned outfit ended the ceasefire that resulted in the murder of cops escorting the polio team in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Separately, the PTI leader also made a video with the same demand and posted it on his Twitter account. “Talks are being held with everyone, so [kindly] have talks with Altaf Hussain,” his tweet read.

As both the videos are making rounds on social media, netizens are expressing their concerns with tagging the PTI leaders.

One of the users, Hajrah Javed said that “only a person with no dignity, no self-respect and no spine would want to speak to Altaf Hussain!”

Prime Minister Imran Khan has been a vocal opponent of the MQM leader and in 2013 also accused the UK of being soft on Altaf Hussain. He also filed a case against the MQM in 2007 and in 2015, Khan accused the party for its role in the Baldia town fire.

However, journalist Murtaza Ali Shah was of the view that Liaquat’s concern is “right” whether one likes it or not. “There’s little doubt that a very large number of the Urdu speaking community still likes Altaf & he enjoys huge following,” it read.

Another user claimed that the PTI leader has sidelined MQM leader Farooq Sattar.

One of the users named Ovais feared that Liaquat would again risk the community.

A few took a dig at the party membership of Liaquat.

One of the users named Junaid Raza Zaidi slammed the PTI for allowing such leaders to represent the party.

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