K A RACHI/HY DER ABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement`s senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar alleged on Sunday that a conspiracy was being hatched to divide the MQM and dozens of imprisoned party workers as well as members of national and provincial assemblies were being pressurised to change their loyalty to join the `new bungalow`, an indirect reference to the DHA headquarters of the unnamed party of former Karachi nazim Mustafa Kamal.

Addressing a press conference at MQM`s Azizabad headquarters, Dr Sattar said the credibility of `state institutions` was being affected badly and it was their responsibility to take action to dispel the impression that they were behind the conspiracy aimed at horse-trading of Muttahida lawmakers.`First they arrested MQM workers in false cases and are now pressurising the workers to leave the party,` he said. `This dry-cleaning process to change people`s loyalties must stop.

Dr Sattar alleged that two days ago a heavy contingent of Rangers, along with officials of the Karachi central prison, stormed barracks Nos 18, 19, 24 and 25, `tortured 40 under-trial prisoners of the MQM` and deprived them of facilities given to them under the jail manual.

He also alleged that the workers were being forced to fill out a pro forma and told that they would be given every facility in the prison, cases against them would be withdrawn and they would be released only if they changed their loyalty.

Accompanied by some members of the coordination committee, Dr Sattar criticised the Rangers` action and appealed to the president, the prime minister and the army chief to take notice of thematter and order an investigation into the plot against the MQM.

He also urged the judiciary and human rights organisations to take notice of the violation of fundamental rights of `political prisoners` and play their role in restoring their facilities under the jail manual.

He said allegations had been levelled against the MQM in 1992 and 1998 as well, but none of them could be proved in court.

Dr Sattar urged policymaking institutions and the government to move forward and cooperate for the sake of progress and prosperity of the country and promotion of democracy. He also appealed to the state institutions to accept the mandate of the MQM and stop doubting its patriotism.

He called for early election of mayors so that the elected representatives could serve people.

In a rejoinder to the allegations levelled by the MQM leader, adviser to the Sindh chief minister on information Maula Bux Chandio alleged that the Muttahida kept changing its alliance as well as statements according to its requirement and internal matters, but the PPP always respected the party`s mandate and promoted democracy. The MQM criticised the PPP today, `but tomorrow it will embrace us`, he said.

Addressing a press conference at the Tando Allahyar press club on Sunday, the PPP leader said: `MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar gave a statement calling Mustafa Kamal innocent. It is his (Faroog) innocence. Have we changed the loyalty of Afaq Ahmed (MQM-Haqigi chief) or loyalties of those MPAs who are quitting the MQM?` He said Dr Farooq should respond to at least one of the `thousands of allegations` being levelled by the Muttahida dissidents against the party.

Mr Chandio rejected a perception that the Sindh government was pressurising the imprisoned MQM workers and torturing them in jails to force them to change their loyalty. The government could not do that, he said, adding that the MQM was actually hiding its failure and frustration.

Answering a question, he said the rulers of Punjab were afraid of accountability and powers of the National Accountability Bureau and asked why actions of NAB and the FederalInvestigation Agency were limited only to Sindh. Is it that nothing was happeninginPunjab,he asked.

Mr Chandio said if NAB and FIA took action against the PPP it was fair but if the same happened in Punjab the PML-N leadership started making hue and cry.

Answering a question about removal of the Sindh IG, he said it was in compliance with the court order.

About Rangers` demand for their own police stations, he said it was tantamount to closing democratic and constitutional ways and creating a state within the state.

Mr Chandio announced a donation of Rs200,000 for the Tando Allahyar press club.