Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Wednesday said the Taliban intended to take over Punjab in a manner similar to their advance in the NWFP, a private TV channel reported. Addressing district office-bearers of the MQM in Punjab over telephone from London, Altaf said he would not allow the Taliban to take over Punjab as long as he was alive. He said the Taliban were in control of major cities in the NWFP and had also entered Punjab. He urged the MQM members in Punjab to play their role in saving the province from the Taliban.
The MQM chief also criticised Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi chief Sufi Muhammad for brandishing his version of Islam. He said Pakistan did not need sharia of a single man, adding that his party would fight such a sharia tooth and nail.
Altaf said women faced antagonistic circumstances in Swat and Malakand division.