MQM terms BBC report 'table story'

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 June 2015

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has dismissed a BBC report alleging financial support from India as unfounded. The party is exploring legal avenues against the report's claims and its journalist.

Summary

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) termed a BBC report alleging the party received funds from India as ‘another table story’ and vowed to consider legal option against the news organization. BBC’s veteran reporter Owen Bennett-Jones filed the story, “Pakistan’s MQM ‘received Indian funding’,” Wednesday wherein he claimed the party has been receiving funds from India to run its operations in Karachi. Addressing a press conference, MQM member Wasay Jalil denied accusations in the report and criticized the reporter for filing ‘table stories’ against his party. He said the party’s legal wizards have been considering suing the media house for publishing this baseless story. Jalil said that Owen Bennett-Jones is like another reporter of Daily Ummat that has been publishing stories only against MQM. MQM Senator Nasreen Jalil said Owen Bennett-Jones prejudice against the MQM is not hidden from anyone; therefore people should not pay heed to the baseless report.

KEY POINTS:

• MQM calls BBC's report a 'table story'.
• Party considers legal action against the BBC.
• MQM member Wasay Jalil refutes funding allegations.
• Senator Nasreen Jalil comments on journalist's bias.
• Claims made by Owen Bennett-Jones criticized as baseless.